
AMERICAN 
HISTORY 

SECOND 
BOOK I. 



PERRY AND PRICE 




Class. 
Book. 



^-H- 



zL 



Copyright N' 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSrr 




Patrick Henry cried, ' We must fight 



AMERICAN HISTORY 

SECOND BOOK 

(1763 TO THE Present Time) 



• \. 



BY 



ARTHUR Q PERRY, Jr., Ph.D. 

u 

DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS 
NEW YORK CITY 

AND 

GERTRUDE A. PRICE 

TEACHER IN PUBLIC SCHOOI. 
NEW YORK CITY 




NEW YORK CINCINNATI CHICAGO 
AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY 






Copyright, 19 14, by 
Arthur C. Perry, Jr., and Gertrude A. Price 



Copyright, 1914, in Great Britain 



Am. Hist. Second Book 
w. P. I 



APR lb 1914 



,A371391 



PREFACE 

The general practice of our elementary schools is 
to study the subject of American History in two 
cycles. This volume Is the second of a two-book 
series intended to serve as textbooks for pupils in 
the first cycle of their study, and to cover two years' 
work. Each book, however, is so planned that it 
can be used independently of the other. 

The books aim to introduce the pupil to the history 
of his country in accordance with accepted pedagogical 
method. It is not their purpose to give the student 
a detailed and comprehensi\'c study of the philosophy 
of history, or to appeal especially to the judgment and 
those other faculties whose fuller development comes 
with adolescence. The books are deliberately organ- 
ized, as regards both subject matter and vocabulary, 
on lines of adaptability to children of ten or twelve 
years of age. 

The interest of the child must be aroused — and 
his interest at this age is not in the philosophy of 
cause and effect. His interest is in the drama of 
events rather than in their causal sequence: it is in 
adventure, not politics; in heroism, not statesman- 
ship; in deeds, not philosophy; in people, not sta- 
tistics. Later in his school career he may turn toward 



iv PREFACE 

the technical and philosophical phases of the sub- 
ject; but to arouse his present enthusiasm we must 
appeal to his immediate interests, and these are ele- 
mental, simple, almost barbaric. 

Hence these books attempt to enlist the interest 
of the pupil in the stirring narrative of our country's 
progress, and to give him such narrative in plenty. 
That the tastes of the pupil at this age are of an 
elemental quality Is not a reason for reducing the 
subject matter in quantity. Therefore, it has not 
been the aim of the authors to write a "brief" book. 

The arrangement of the subject matter is on a 
three-fold plan. Each chapter has a central thought 
about which important events are grouped in narrative 
form. Following the narrative there is a summary 
for careful study; and then comes a concise statement 
of the fact or facts that seem most vital. It is sug- 
gested that in using this volume as a textbook, the 
pupil read the narrative, study the summary, and 
memorize the facts. 

For convenience in review study, the facts to be 
memorized are brought together in one series in an 
appendix. Whether the student is obliged to leave 
school without further formal study of history, or 
whether he is privileged to continue his schooling 
through the second-cycle study of the subject, this 
series of facts, thoroughly memorized, will serve as 
a background and setting for all his future study of 
history, civics, and politics. To this skeleton resume 



PREFACE V 

he may refer all the events of history, placing them 
properly both as to chronological order and as to 
causal relations. 

Other appendixes contain reference material for the 
teacher's use. The pronunciation of difficult words 
is indicated in the Index. 

The selection from " Uncle Remus," by Joel Chand- 
ler Harris, on page 140, is used by permission of the 
publishers, D. Appleton and Company. 



CONTENTS 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. Rebellion i 

II. Independence 21 

III. Recognition 45 

IV. The Unitini; of the States 63 

V. Democracy 83 

VI. Progress and Invention 109 

VII. Slavery 135 

VIII. Secession 147 

IX. The Civil War 173 

X. The Turning of the Tide 197 

XI. Reconstruction 217 

XII. The Great West 235 

XIII. Expansion 263 

XIV. Recalling the Past 287 

Appendix A. Facts to be Memorized 307 

Appendix B. Reference Table of the States 311 

Appendix C. Reference Table of Presidents and Vice 

Presidents 312 

Appendix D. Reference List of Important Events in Chron- 
ological Order 313 

Appendix E. Declaration of Independence 317 

Appendix F. Constitution of the United States 32 1 

Index 339 



AMERICAN HISTORY 

CHAPTER I 

REBELLION 

"The people, I believe, are as truly loyal as any 

subjects the king has; but they are a people jealous 

of their liberties, who, if those liberties 

should ever be violated, will vindicate , . , 

colonies, 1763 

them to the last drop of their blood." 
Thus spoke a member of the British House of Com- 
mons during a heated discussion concerning the 
British colonies in North America. 

For years England had possessed thirteen colonies 
stretching along the coast between Canada and 
Florida. In 1763, by the treaty that followed the 
French and Indian War, her sway had been extended 
over the greater part of North America. Though 
England was immensely proud of the large territory 
her colonists had helped her to win from the French, 
she used strange means of showing her gratitude. 
Like the other leading nations of Europe, she believed 
that colonies were particularly useful for trading pur- 
poses. One reason why England maintained colonies 



2 REBELLION 

was that she might sell goods to them at great profit. 
So her Parliament made many laws that benefited 
the English merchants. 

For instance, if a prosperous Virginian wished to 

buy for his wife some shimmering silks from Paris, 

the law forbade him to send directly to 

^ 7 France for them. He was allowed to 

Acts 

purchase them only through English mer- 
chants, which added greatly to the cost. Again, al- 
though another country might be willing to pay him 
a better price for his tobacco and his rice, England 
was the only land to which he was allowed to send 
them. For these reasons, and many others, the 
colonists felt that they were being unfairly treated. 
Naturally they began to do what they could to secure 
better conditions. 

In fact, even as early as 1676 a spirit of rebellion 
had appeared in Virginia. A number of colonists had 

been killed by the Indians. Governor 
ReiTn'^ Berkeley was asked to take action, but 

he refused. It has been said that he was 
trading with these Indians and wished to keep on 
friendly terms with them. When they attacked the 
plantation of a young lawyer, Nathaniel Bacon, and 
killed his overseer, he asked the governor's permission 
to punish the red men. The governor again refused. 
Then Bacon, with a party of young men as bold and 
vigorous as himself, marched against the Indians and 
punished them so severely that they troubled the 



BACON'S REBELLION 3 

colonists no more. But, because Bacon and his men 
had acted without permission, the governor declared 
them outlaws. 

Bacon, however, had the support of many of the 
people of the colony and the governor was afraid of 
his power. For some months the two men waged a 
contest for the control of the government. First 
one and then the other would gain possession of 
Jamestown. Finally, Bacon completely destroyed 
the village by fire, to make sure that it would not 
again shelter the governor. When rebuilding time 
came, a more healthful site was chosen. The new 




House of Burgesses at Williamsburg, Virgiaia 



capital was known as Williamsburg. Bacon's Re- 
bellion was only one instance of trouble between the 



4 REBELLION 

colonists and their governors. There were many other 
cases of dispute, which, however, did not lead to 
open revolt. 

By the year 1750 England had passed many laws 

to encourage trade with her colonies. Some of the 

laws forbade them to trade with other 

Smuggling . . 

countries or even, m some cases, with one 

another. Had all these laws been rigidly carried out, 

the great Revolution might have come before it did. 

But they were not so enforced. The colonists were 

able to e\ade them in many ways. For example, 

they smuggled goods into the country and out, in 

violation of the laws. The royal governors made 

the best of it and pretended not to see what was 

going on. At the same time, they did many things 

that displeased the liberty-lo\"ing colonists. Sent over 

by the king, the governors felt and acted as though 

they had his power. But the colonists came to regard 

their Assemblies as having more authority than the 

governors. This, of course, angered the governors 

and the king. 

While France Avas a power in America, England had 

seen that she must keep on- good terms with her 

colonists, lest France step in and win 

them over to her side. Now that this 
assistance 

danger was past, the English government 
thought it quite time to enforce the laws. It deter- 
mined to stop the secret trading between the colonists 
and other countries. Customs officers were encouraged 



WRITS OF ASSISTANCE 5 

to search for smuggled goods. This they could do by 
using warrants known as " writs of assistance. " Such 
a writ gave the officers the right to enter, in their 
search, any store or even any private residence. They 
could break down doors and open trunks, on the 
mere suspicion that goods had been smuggled. The 
colonists were indignant. James Otis, of Massachu- 
setts, argued eloquently against these writs of assist- 
ance, but the courts decided that such writs were 
lawful. 

The French and Indian War had given the colo- 
nists new confidence in themselves. Fighting side by 
side, they had learned to respect one another. They 
had discovered that their men were good fighters 
and that they had able leaders, such as Washing- 
ton, Stark, and Putnam. They had lost both men 
and money in the war, but they gloried in the loss, 
because they were Englishmen fighting for England. 
We must not think of the colonists at that time as 
rebellious people, anxious to be rid of the mother 
country. Far from this, they were true patriots 
asking but for the rights of Englishmen. 

Their anger was fanned to greater heat by England's 

next move. She decided to keep a standing army in 

the colonies for their protection, and to 

, . V r . Stamp Act 

force the colonists to bear a part of its 

cost. To help raise the needed money the Stamp 

Act was passed. This law compelled the people to 

buy stamps that had to be placed upon business 



REBELLION 



contracts and legal papers, and even upon newspapers, 
or to buy and use paper already stamped. Some of 





stamps used for taxing the colonists 



Representation 



the stamps cost but a penny or two; others, from 
twenty to fifty dollars. 

The colonists were incensed, not because of the tax, 
— that was fair enough, — but because of the way in 
which it was levied, and because of its 
purpose. One of the rights an English- 
man holds most precious is that of being represented 
in the lawmaking body that decides upon the taxes. 
It is true that the Americans had their own Assemblies, 
but they were not represented in Parliament, the 
English taxing body. And it was Parliament that 
had levied the Stamp Tax and had made other un- 
satisfactory laws for the colonists. Moreover, the 
colonists did not admit that a standing army was 
needed in America in time of peace. 

The Boston people greeted the Stamp Act as they 
would have greeted some great sorrow. The church 



THE STAMP ACT 7 

bells were tolled and the flags were put at half-staff. 
A storm of protest broke forth. In New York, copies 
were made of the law, but in place of the king's coat 
of arms, usually printed on all legal papers, a grinning 
skull appeared. The people even went so far as to 
destroy boxes of the hated stamps and stamped 
paper, and to threaten the men who were appointed 
to collect the stamp tax. James Otis suggested that a 
Congress be called to take action. Nine of the colo- 
nies sent delegates to this Congress, which was held 
in New York. It sent a petition to the king and to 
Parliament. 

At last Parliament saw that a great mistake was 
being made in the treatment of the colonists. Within 
a few months it repealed the Stamp Act. But here 
the king stepped in and made matters worse. Tradi- 
tion tells us that the Queen Mother had said to 
George III when he came to the throne, "George, be 
king." This, George determined to do. We do not 
doubt that he meant to do right, but he was head- 
strong and conceited. He would not listen to his best 
advisers, but only to those who gave the advice that 
he wanted to hear. 

One man who came into a position of influence was 
Charles Townshend. He, like the king, believed in 
showing the colonists "their place." So, 
through his influence and that of the king, p^°^^^ 
Parliament, a few months after the repeal 
of the Stamp Act, passed several laws taxing the 



8 



REBELLION 



New York 
skirmish 



colonists in other ways. Duties were laid upon 
various imports such as glass, lead, paper, and tea. 

The levying of these taxes, together with the pres- 
ence of British troops sent to the colonies, caused 
much bad feeling. One day in January, 
1770, some of the soldiers stationed in 
New York cut down and destroyed a lib- 
erty pole which enthusiastic citizens had set up. The 
result was a conflict between soldiers and citizens 
which lasted for two or three days. The chief en- 
gagement occurred on Golden 
Hill (now Cliff Street). Peace 
was restored only after one 
man had been killed and several 
wounded. 

Two months later, a similar 
clash occurred in Boston. One 
stormy evening, 
a party of boys 
taunted a British 
sentry in front of the custom- 
house door. The guard came 
out and a crowd gathered. Pres- 
ently, in the excitement, shots 
were fired. Four citizens were 
killed and several wounded. But 
the disturbance was quieted without further bloodshed. 
The resentment of the colonists grew. Through- 
out the country rang the bold words of Patrick 



Boston 
skirmish 




Boston Massacre Monument 



THE TEA T.\X 9 

Henry, of \'irginia, "Taxation without representa- 
tion is tyranny!" The colonists refused to buy 

goods from English merchants until the 

Tea tax 

taxes should be repealed. This, in turn, 
called forth a protest from the merchants, who 
were rapidly losing money. But the king's party 
argued that if every one of the taxes placed upon the 
colonists were taken away, the colonists would feel 
that they had won. So another plan was adopted. 
Most of the taxes were removed, but a very small tax 
upon tea was retained. So small was this tax, that 
it was cheaper for the colonists to buy their tea from 
England than to smuggle it from Holland. It was 
believed that the colonists would be glad to get the 
cheap tea, that the English merchants would get 
back their trade, — and the colonists would still be 
paying a tax to the British government! But they 
were not to be tricked in this fashion. They cared 
less for money than they did for their rights. As 
Englishmen they insisted upon having a voice in 
levying their taxes, however small these might be. 

In 1773, despite their protest, three shiploads of tea 
came into Boston harbor, and the colonists decided to 
act. They warned the ship's master that "it was at 
his peril, if he suffered any of the tea brought by him 
to be landed." They urged him to take his tea back 
to England. But the governor would not permit him 
to sail out of the harbor, and kept warships on the 
watch to prevent his doing so. Finally, one morn- 



lO REBELLION 

ing in December, thousands of people gathered at a 

town meeting. "How will tea mingle with salt 

water?" some one hinted. 

Action was taken that very evening. At about nine 

o'clock there rang through the quiet streets the war 

whoop of Mohawk Indians. Fifty white 
Boston Tea . , i- • i • • i i 

p^j.^ men m Indian guise, natcMct in hand, 

rushed down to the wharf and boarded 
the ships. Soon the decks resounded with the thud, 
thud, of the hatchets, as the tea chests were opened 
and their contents thrown overboard into the sea. 
On shore a quiet, orderly crowd gathered to witness 
this direct defiance of the mother country. The 
work completed, the crowd and the "Indians" quietly 
returned to their homes. 

The news of this daring spread to the other cities 
to which tea had been sent — New York, Phila- 
delphia, and Charleston. They were inspired by the 
action of brave little Boston and they, too, refused to 
buy the tea. Boston's punishment came quickly. 
Her port was ordered closed until she should pay for 
the destroyed tea. This meant that nearly all her 
business was stopped, and that she could get no sup- 
plies by sea. The English government thought that, 
by making an example of Massachusetts in this way, 
it would frighten the other colonies into submission. 
But it was mistaken. The colonies felt that Boston 
was suffering for them all, so they loyally rallied 
around her and sent her supplies, accompanied by 



FIRST CONTINENT.VL CONGRESS 



messages of courage. The women, in societies known 
as the "Daughters of Liberty," pledged themselves 
to wear homespun clothes and not to drink tea. 

In 1774 representatives from all the colonies, 
except Georgia, met at Philadelphia. This meeting 
was known as the First Continental Con- pirgt 
gress. It sent a petition to the king and Continental 
Parliament protesting against the way Congress 
the colonies were being treated. More than this, it 

was agreed that the 
people throughout the 
several colonies should 
act together in with- 
standing English tyr- 
anny. Before adjourn- 
ing, the representatives 
settled on a date for a 
second Congress, in case 
it should be needed. 

Meanwhile, in all the 
towns, the men were 

meeting at 

. Minute Men 

night, se- 
cretly, in cellars, in 
empty stores, wherever 
it was safe. Sturdy men 
in their prime, youths in their teens — all were 
practicing and drilling, that they might be ready 
for war at a ininute's notice. For this reason they 




Statue of the Minute Man, at Concord 



12 RKBKLLIOX 

Nvorc called Miuiiio Men. I'unhor preparations wore 
nuulc In sioriug awa\ , a little at a time, powder 
and shot, together with such food supplies as could 
best be iiseil in war beet", tish, tloin-, oatmeal, salt. 

All this was done secretU , >et somehow word 
came to (u>\ernor C^uige ot' Massachusetts that 
supplies were being- stored at C^oncord. About this 
time he recei\ed orders to arrest and send to 
haigland for treason two oi the leading spirits. Samuel 
Adams and John Hancock. But neither Adams nor 
Hancock was to be fmind in Boston; it was reported 
that the\- were in Lexington. 

Cunenu^r Clage tlunight that if he cotild make 
a ciuick, iinex[X\'ted clash li>r l.exingtiMi and Con- 
co\\\ he might succeed in capturing the men and 
the hidden stores. AccordingK-, in the dead of 
night, April iS, 1775, he seal a force oi British 
soUliers ivoxu BostiMi to make their wa\- secreth- to 
Lexington. But the Americans were not to be sur- 
prised. A messenger was at hand ready to spread 
the alarm. 

"So througli the night rodo Paul Revere: 
And so through tJio night wont his er\ of alarm 
To every Middlesex village and farm, - 
A cry of dofianeo and not of fear, 
A \ nice In tl\o darkness, a knock at tJie door, 
And a word that shall echo foro\erniore ! " * 

* Longfellow: l\uil Revore's Ride. 



LEXIXCiTDN AND CONCORD 13 

W'luMi the British arri\ ctl at Lexington in the cool 
of the morning, Adams ami Hancock had i;oni\ The 

British found awaiting them a compaii)' 

r Ai- . Ai 1 ^ i^T Ml Skirmish at 

ot Mmiite Men thawn up on the \illage ^ . ^ 

* _ "^ Lexington 

green. 'Die astonished EngHsh com- 
mander ordered the patriots to disperse. As they 
stood tlieir ground, lie ch'cw iiis own pistol and gave 
tlu> ortler to thv. With the hrst ^'olley, eight of the 
Miiuite MiMi fell ilead and ten more were wounded. 
War. with all its horrors, had begun, — a war that 
was to stand out as a landmark in the world's history. 
The British now continuc^d tlu-ir a(hance. in order 
to make a quick, hold dash for Concord and get posses- 
sion of the supplies. Again their plans came t(^ 
naught, for at Concord most oi the supplies had 
nnsteriously disappeared. Still more surprising than 
the disappearance of the ston-s was the goodl>- num- 
ber of Minute Men who had sprimg up, as it were, from 
the ver>- earth. 

"B>- tlio rudo bridge tliat arched the Hood, 
Their tiag to April's breeze unfurled, 
Here once the embattled farmers stood, 

And tired the shot heard rouiul tlie world." * 

These farmers dnn'c back two hundred Redcoats 

from Concord Bridge, ami about noon 
,,...,, ", . „ Retreat from 

the British began their retreat to Bos- _ , 

'^ Concord 

ton. 1-^-om behind the bushes of the 

roadside, little groui)s of Minute Men hred upon the 

* Enicr^on: Concortl H\inn. 



14 



REBELLION 




Concord Bridge 



British soldiers. Every bush along the roadside hid 
a gun, and all the stone walls seemed to have eyes. 

The English soldiers 
were tired; they 
were hungry ; and 
the day was hot. 
There seemed to be 
no end to the soldier- 
farmers hidden along 
the highway. Bos- 
ton, their only place 
of safety, was a 
weary distance away. 
When they finally did reach that city, they had 
suffered three times as great a loss as had the 
Minute Men. 

The news of the war quickly spread through the 
colonies. On all sides came the call, "Minute Men to 
arms ! " How this call was answered is well 
Bo^ston illustrated by the zeal of Israel Putnam, 

an old fighter of the French and Indian 
War, who had gone back to his farm and his plow. 
On the day after the battles of Lexington and Con- 
cord he was working In his field. A horseman 
galloped by so swiftly that Putnam could scarcely 
hear his cry to arms. But even a whisper would 
have been enough for that soldier. Without saying 
good-by to his family, he rode posthaste to Boston. 
Here the Minute Men had gathered from all parts 



BUNKER HILL 15 

of the colony. They were a sturdy company, un- 
trained, most of them without any experience of 
war, yet possessed of the spirit that overcomes all 
difficulties. 

In colonial days Boston occupied only one of the 
several peninsulas which the city now covers. On it 
the British army was quartered. Across the channel 
was the village of Charlestown, and beyond it, Bunker 
Hill. The Americans saw that if they could fortify 
and hold this hill, they would command Boston. So, 
one night their men crept up the slope and set to 
work throwing up rude fortifications. When morning 
dawned they stood in firm possession of the hill. The 
British realized that if they were to keep Boston they 
must dislodge the Americans from their position. 
They debated as to the best method of attack. Had 
they gone by sea to the rear of the hill they might 
have been easily successful ; but they decided to make 
a charge at the front. 

The Americans had little powder, so their two 

commanders, General Putnam and Colonel Prescott, 

warned the men to wait until the enemy 

was close upon them. Up the hill „* ,^ ° .„ 
^ ^ Bunker Hill 

marched the well-trained soldiers of Eng- 
land. Closer and yet closer they came, and still no 
sign from the Americans. Then quick and sharp came 
the order from behind the breastworks, "Fire!" A 
great volley broke forth, scattering the British and 
forcing them down the hill. Again they formed, and 



i6 



REBELLION 



again they climbed the hilL Again that death-deal- 
ing volley forced them back and down. A third time 
they tried. The American powder was nearly ex- 
hausted; yet the valiant defenders fought on, with 
guns, with stones, with knives, even with their fists. 
But the British were too strong. The Americans 
were forced back, and the Brit- 
ish held the hill. Putnam was 
disappointed. It seemed to 
him that after such gallant 
fighting the patriots should 
have held out longer, but 
others said that the defense 
put up that day was wonder- 
ful, even though it ended in 
defeat. Throughout the coun- 
try there was great rejoicing. 

Meanwhile, on the appointed 
date, May lo, 1775, the Con- 
tinental Congress had met for 
the second time at Philadel- 
phia. This time it was really 
It was but a month or two 
before, that Patrick Henry had stood up in old St. 
John's Church in Richmond, Virginia, and cried, 
" We must fight. I repeat it, sir, we must fight. 
I know not what course others may take, but, as 
for me, give me liberty or give me death!" And he 
had but \'oiced the feelings of the greater part of 




Bunker Hill Monument 

to prepare for war. 



SECOND CONTINENTAL C0N(;RESS 17 

the colonists. For a long time they had been work- 
ing together to avoid war. Now they had to work 
together to prepare for it. 

But there were great difficulties ahead. An army 
was needed, but it was hard to get each colony to 
promise its share of men. Each feared second 
that it might do more than its neighbor. Continental 
Throughout the entire war this bickering Congress 
in Congress greatly weakened its power and dis- 
couraged the people. One wdse thing they did agree 
upon, however. They appointed George Washing- 
ton commander in chief of the Continental army. 
His remarkable military skill, already shown in the 
French and Indian War, and his high character made 
him a fitting leader in a great cause. Besides, Wash- 
ington was in command of the Virginian forces. Thus 
far the fighting had been done by the men of Massa- 
chusetts. A southern commander would unite the 
armies of the north and the south. 

When told of his appointment, Washington said, 
" I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in 
this room, that I this day declare, with Washington, 
the utmost sincerity, I do not think my- commander 
self equal to the command I am honored ^^ ^^^^^ 
with." We shall see how this man, in spite of his 
modest doubts, brought honor and glory to himself 
and to his country. It was beneath a famous old elm 
tree, at Cambridge, on the third day of July, 1775, 
that Washington, tall and dignified, first stood before 



i8 REBELLION 

the eager young soldiers and drew forth his sword as 
commander of the American army. 

"Firmly erect, he towered above them all, . . . 
Soldier and statesman, rarest unison — " * 

No one knew better than Washington the great 
task that was before him. The drilling of the soldiers 
until they were weary, the constant begging for 
supplies, which were so slow in coming, the petty 
cjuarrels among the soldiers themselves — all these 
difficulties, together with the great responsibility of 
the position, would have daunted most men. 

" Not honored then or now because he wooed 
The popular voice, but tliat he still withstood; 
Broad-minded, higher-souled, there is but one 
Who was all this and ours, and all men's, — Washington." * 

FOR CAREFUL STUDY 

England, like other European nations, prized her 
colonies because of their commercial value. In her 
eagerness for trade, however, she came to disregard 
the interests of the colonists. The British Parliament 
passed many laws that favored British merchants 
and hindered the colonists in their trade with other 
countries. This led the colonists to smuggle goods 
contrary to law. Then the English began to search 
the homes of the colonists for smuggled goods. 

In 1765 England levied a stamp tax on business 
papers. The Stamp Act was repealed the next year, 
but the repeal was soon followed by taxes of another 

* Lowell: Under the Old Elm. 



CAUSE OF THE RE\OLUTION 19 

sort. Heavy duties were placed upon many kinds of 
imports. To meet this measure the Americans made 
a point of not buying any British goods, thus kilHng 
the English trade with them. English troops were 
sent to Boston, which further irritated the colonists. 
In 1770 disturbances between soldiers and citizens 
took place in New York and Boston. These events 
ha\e been given the exaggerated titles of the Battle 
of Golden Hill and the Boston Massacre. 

Finally, England withdrew all duties except that 
on tea. But the colonists were standing for a prin- 
ciple — that they should not be required to pay any 
tax, however small, unless they had a voice in laying 
that tax. So when tea was brought into Boston 
harbor a party of colonists boarded the ships and 
dumped the tea overboard. This was in 1773. 

England punished Boston by closing her port. 
This brought matters to a crisis. The colonies 
banded together, and sent members to a Continental 
Congress at Philadelphia in 1774. This Congress 
petitioned the king and Parliament for relief. 

Meanwhile, men throughout the colonies were 
secretly preparing for war, drilling and gathering 
ammunition and supplies. Governor Gage sent a 
British force to capture such stores at Concord. On 
the way there, at Lexington, April 19, 1775, was 
fought the first battle of what became a war of revolt 
of the colonies against England. 

The American soldiers besieged the British in Bos- 
ton, and two months later took possession of Bunker 
Hill, from which they were dislodged only after a 
stubborn fight, June 17, 1775. 



20 REBELLION 

Meanwhile, the Continental Congress had met for 
the second time, and prepared for war. It appointed 
George Washington commander in chief. In July, at 
Cambridge, he took command of the troops. 

FACT TO BE MEMORIZED 

The Revolutionary War, 1775-1783, was caused by England's 
treatment of her colonies as to taxation and trade laws. 







Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill 



Bibliography 

Bacon. — Cooke: Stories of the Old Dominion. 

Bunker Hill.— Kaler: With Warren at Bunker Hill. 

Otis: Boston Boys of 1775. 

Otis: Meal the Miller. 

Otis: Signal Boys of '75. 

Otis: Under the Liberty Tree. 
Concord. — Tappan: American Hero Stories. 
Putnam. — Bouve: American Heroes and Heroines. 

Hale: Boys' Heroes. 

Ober: "Old Put," the Patriot. 

Tappan: American Hero Stories. 
General. — Gordy: American Leaders and Heroes. 

Pratt: American History Stories, Vol. L Chap. 2. 

Retold from St. Nicholas: Colonial Stories. 



CHAPTER II 
INDEPENDENCE 

In spite of Lexington and Concord the Americans 
still hoped that the king and Parliament would grant 
them the rights of Englishmen. If so, the colonists 
would gladly and loyally support the English govern- 
ment. The Second Continental Congress even sent 
one more petition to George III asking for fair treat- 
ment. The king paid no attention to it, but closed 
American ports and called the people rebels. 

Even as they waited, hopeful of a peaceful settle- 
ment, the Americans were not neglecting the mili- 
tary features of the struggle. On the Ticonderoga 
very day Congress met they captured and Crown 
British stores and ammunition at Ticon- ^°*°*^ 
deroga. The attack was made by Ethan Allen and a 
party of hardy frontiersmen — the Green Mountain 
Boys. Although the fort was equipped with two 
hundred cannon, the attacking party, striking unex- 
pectedly in the dead of night, easily took the startled 
garrison prisoners. Two days later Crown Point, 
near by, also surrendered. 

The Americans hoped to win over Canada to their 
side as a fourteenth colony. Whether Canada joined 



22 INDEPENDENCE 

them or not it would be to their advantage to 
gain control of the region. Two expeditions, there- 
fore, were formed to invade it. The first 
one, under Montgomery, succeeded in 
capturing Montreal. The second, under 
Benedict Arnold, started in the winter of 1775 to 
march through the wilderness to Quebec. The sol- 
diers endured unspeakable hardships. Food gave 
out, and the cold caused dreadful suffering. Many 
died by the way, others returned home carrying the 
sick with them. But Arnold pushed on. By the 
time he reached Quebec his numbers had been so 
reduced that an attack was impossible. Finally, 
Montgomery came to his aid. With joined forces 
they stormed the citadel, but without success. In 
six months the Americans were compelled to leave 
Canada. 

For the first few months after Washington's ap- 
pointment as commander in chief, the people watched 
him to see what he would do. They 
„ ^ likewise found fault with him because he 

Boston 

seemed to be doing nothing. Yet Wash- 
ington was busy drilling his men and watching his 
chance to seize Dorchester Heights, on the south side 
of Boston, and thus compel the British to fight or 
retreat. The English general, Howe, neglected to 
protect this hill. As a result the English lost Bos- 
ton, for Washington succeeded in fortifying the 
Heights. The British dreaded to meet the fight- 



DEFENSE OF FORT MOULTRIE 23 

ing Americans on a hill. They had learned their 
lesson at Bunker Hill and were not to be caught 
again. Therefore they folded their tents, went on 
board their ships, and sailed out of Boston on the 
17th of March, 1776. ■ 

The fighting was not all at the north. In Feb- 
ruary, at Moores Creek, a party of North Caro- 
lina Minute Men had defeated a large 

force of colonists who were loyal to the ^ , ^„ „ . 

•' Fort Moultrie 

king. . A British force under Clinton and 
Cornwallis, together with a fleet, was sent to subdue 
the people of North Carolina. But 10,000 armed 
men were awaiting them, and so they went farther 
south, planning to take Charleston. Here they found 
that the colonists had fortified an island in the harbor. 
Fort Moultrie, as it was named, was strongly built 
of sand and logs and was well armed with large 
cannon. The British fleet bombarded the fort, while 
the army tried to reach the island from the rear. 
But both fleet and army were badly repulsed, and the 
British sailed away to the north. 

All this while, England really did not want a war 
any more than did the colonists. Her funds were 
low. She needed all her strength to drive back the 
great nations of Europe who were pressing in upon 
her. France particularly, — how France hated her! 
Perhaps, if England's colonies did openly rebel against 
her, F'rance might help a little, if only to spite Eng- 
land. 



24 INDEPENDENCE 

But King George was determined to show his 
authority. He hired 17,000 German soldiers, called 
Hessians, to help him subdue the colo- 
nists. Thereupon, the indignation of the 
Americans burst all bounds. They seriously con- 
sidered the matter of independence. Some of the 
colonies had already driven away their royal governors 
and had begun to govern themselves. In May, 1776, 
the Continental Congress agreed that the colonies 
should no longer consider themselves under the 
English crown, but that they should rule them- 
selves. Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, put his 
ideas on paper in the form of a resolution. It 
began: "Resolved: That these united colonies 
are, and of right ought to be, free and independent 
states." 

It was not until July 2 that Congress agreed to 

this resolution. The next step was to declare to the 

whole world that we were free. It had 

Declaration of ^^jj^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^ Thomas Jefferson to 

Independence 

write one of the most famous papers of 

history, our Declaration of Independence. This was 
adopted July 4, 1776, and changed the dependent 
colonies to free and independent states. Proud 
indeed are the families who can trace their descent 
from one of its signers. Some one remarked, as he 
put his signature to the great paper, "We must all 
hang together." "Yes," answered Franklin, "if we 
do not hang together we shall hang separately." 



THE LIHERTV BELL 



25 



Liberty Bell 



Within a few days copies of the Declaration were 
printed and sent to each colony. In front of the 
state house at Philadelphia, where the 
Declaration had been adopted, a great 
crowd gathered to hear it read. As the last words 
died into silence there came a joyful peal from a bell 
which hung in the state house tower, and which bore 




the words, " Proclaim liberty throughout the land 
unto all the inhabitants thereof." How fitting it was 
that this bell should be the first to peal out the glad 
tidings of freedom ! A huge crack now mars its silver 
voice, but the old bell, though silent, still sings its 
joyful song in the hearts of the American people. 



26 INDEPENDENCE 

Throughout the land the Declaration was read to 
other eager throngs, sometimes by the chief magis- 
trate in the public square, sometimes by the minister 
from the pulpit. The news was received in different 
ways by different people. The serious Puritans of 
New England went to church, there to breathe 
their thanksgiving and to pray for the success of their 
beloved country. The gayer people expressed their 
joy by building big bonfires, by firing guns, and by 
having torchlight processions. In some such fashion 
has each succeeding Fourth of July been celebrated. 

Now that war for independence was formally de- 
clared, England saw that she must change her plans. 
There was no use in continuing to worry 

ngan s Massachusetts in order to make an exam- 

plans for war 

pie of her. All the colonies must be 

treated as in rebellion. In consequence, England 

thought out two lines of action. If either failed, she 

could fall back upon the other. One of these was to 

begin at the south and, working northward, conquer 

the states one by one, until all should acknowledge 

Great Britain's rule. According to the other method 

she would first take New York and gain control of 

the Hudson valley. 

For several reasons the second way seemed the 

better. In the first place, England was mistress of 

the seas. The Americans had no navy except small 

fishing boats whose owners, forsaking their business, 

armed their boats and went out upon the high seas. 



MANEUVERS ABOUT NEW YORK 27 

It turned out that even these made considerable 
trouble for the English. They would swoop down 
upon English merchant ships and seize the cargoes. 
When this could not be done, they would content 
themselves with making commerce difficult and im- 
safe. Such private vessels were given permission by 
Congress to carry on this warfare and were known as 
privateers. 

England had another advantage in that Canada 
was at her command. Here was a safe and easy 
base from which to start an attack upon New York. 
Then again, England felt that the Six Nations in the 
Mohawk valley would surely help her, because of 
their loyalty to Sir \Mlliam Johnson, of French and 
Indian War fame, and to his son. The Johnsons were 
Tories; that is, they were loyal to the king. 

For these reasons it seemed wise to gain immediate 
possession of New York. That would sever New 
England from the other states and make intercourse 
between them almost impossible. As the New Eng- 
land states would then have no means of getting 
supplies by land or by sea they might soon be brought 
to terms. 

Washington guessed what the British would do, so 
from Boston he marched his army to New York. 
To protect this city he fortified Brooklyn Maneuvers 
Heights. These heights held the same about New 
important relation to New York that ^°^^ 
Dorchester Heights did to Boston. In August, 1776, 



28 



INDEPENDENCE 



Howe, with 20,000 men, landed on Long Island. 
Meeting a smaller body of American troops he 
worsted them in a short, quick en- 
counter, and forced them to with- 
draw to Brooklyn Heights. 

If Howe had followed up this vic- 
tory and quickly besieged the Ameri- 
can army, he would certainly 
have captured it. Here was 
a rare chance for the British 
to bring the war to a speedy 
close. Too wise to storm 
the hilltop on which the en- 
emy was encamped, they 
planned to surround Brook- 
lyn Heights and starve its 
holders into surrender; but 
they did not act quickly 
enough. Washington real- 
ized the enemy's plan, and, 
ever ready for an emergency, he outwitted them. 
He sent trusted messengers across the river to 
gather together boats of all sorts, from sloop to 
rowboat. Into these, at nightfall, Washington 
loaded his entire force, with firearms, horses, and 
supplies. Through the still darkness the needed 
trips were made, with Washington on the bank, 
keeping order and quiet. He was the last man 
to leave the shore. 




Battle Monument in Prospect Park, 
Brooklyn 



RETREAT ACROSS NEW JERSEY 29 

When the British awoke, about seven o'clock the 
next morning, they found, Hke Old Mother Hubbard, 
that the cupboard was bare. Howe crossed the river 
in pursuit and Washington retreated northward to 
Harlem Heights. Several skirmishes took place in 
the vicinity, but after a few weeks Washington w^as 
forced to abandon New York. With part of the 
army he retreated to New Jersey, sending orders to 
General Charles Lee to join him with other troops. 
But Lee was jealous of his superior officer, and found 
some excuse for not obeying. 

Washington, depri^'cd of the aid he had been count- 
ing on, found himself in a most critical position. The 
British were in hot pursuit. They pushed 
him hard across New Jersey. He skill- .^ _ ° 

•' -^ _ New Jersey 

fully hindered their progress by burning 
bridges and destroying supplies. Sometimes the rear- 
guard of his army looked up from their work of destruc- 
tion to see the British advance appearing upon the 
horizon. Nor was it diflicult to follow the American 
line of march. The soldiers were ill-clad. Many of 
them, shoeless, left behind them footprints of blood 
upon the frozen ground. Many were going away be- 
cause their term of enlistment had expired; others 
were deserting. It was nearly Christmas time, and 
they wanted to go home. This state of afifairs became 
known to the British. (\)rnwalHs, their commander, 
concluding that the war would soon be over, began to 
pack his trunks for home. 



30 



INDEPENDENCE 



Battle of 
Trenton 



But Cornwallis was to unpack those trunks and do 
some hard fighting before he again saw old England. 
Washington had been forced to put the 
Delaware River between himself and his 
pursuers, but at last he was reenforced 
by the troops Lee had been holding back. At Tren- 
ton were more than a thousand Hessians, comfortably 
settled in winter quarters. Washington planned to 
surprise them. He chose Christmas 
night of 1776 for his attack. A furi- 
ous wind whistled down the chimneys; 
sleet snapped against the window panes. 
Safe indoors, the Hessians ate the good 
things of their Christmas dinner, and 
drank the wine that warmed their blood 
and made them noisily merry. Little 
did they suspect that in the bitterness 
of a driving snowstorm Washington was 
bearing down upon them. 

Despite the fact that the river was 
clogged with cakes of floating ice, 
some fishermen-soldiers undertook the difficult task 
of rowing Washington's army across. It was slow 
work and it was biting cold work. Those who first 
landed walked up and down upon the cold ground, 
beating their arms back and forth, and blowing 
their breath upon their freezing fingers, while they 
waited for the others to cross. Then came the 
long march of nine miles to Trenton. On the way 




Hessian trooper 



BATTLE OF TRENTON 31 

two men died of cold. The sleet made the muskets 
damp. When some one suggested to Washington 
that they would be of no use, he replied, " Use bayo- 
nets, then. We must take that town." 

Separating into two parties, the patriots at dawn 
entered Trenton from two different directions. Their 
cannon were placed where the volleys would sweep 
the streets. When the first boom rang out like a 
sunrise gun, the Hessians, stupefied, half-dressed, 
rushed into the streets. Their senses dulled with 
sleep, they hurried this way and that, but nowhere 
was there a place of escape. Here they ran towards 
a cannon, there into a line of bayonets. The dazed 
commander tried in vain to gather his men in line. 
All too late he recalled the fact that in the midst of 
the Christmas merriment, some one had handed him 
a note which he had thrust into his pocket. It was 
a warning brought by a spy, and told of the coming 
of Washington and his troops. Next day the note, 
unopened, was found on his dead body. In about an 
hour Washington was in command of the town, with 
one thousand Hessians as his prisoners, together with 
a great store of war supplies. This was the most 
welcome kind of Christmas present to the weakened 
American army. 

Cornwallis came posthaste from New York to 
Princeton, and advanced with an army. The second 
day of the new year, 1777, found him just south 
of Trenton. Nothing but a small creek separated 



32 



INDEPENDENCE 



Battle of 
Princeton 



him from the American army. His men were 
tired. It seemed advisable to him, since he had 
the enemy where he could watch them 
closely, to wait until the morning and 
then make a brilliant capture. So narrow 
was the separating stream that the British sentinels 
heard the American soldiers talking together as they 
piled wood on the campfires and dug intrenchments. 
Next morning Cornwallis awoke to find the opposite 
side of the stream deserted. The British had been 
sadly deceived. Those campfires and the noise of 
pickaxes had been kept up only 
to cover the flight of the Amer- 
icans in the darkness. The dis- 
tant roar of cannon, in the rear, 
told the English that Washing- 
ton had marched his men around 
their army. 

Near Princeton Washington 
met some British who were go- 
ing to reenforce Cornwallis. The 
"old fox," as Cornwallis called 
him, routed them successfully 
and pushed on to a strong po- 
sition at Morristown. This was 
a wonderful piece of work on 
Washington's part. It really un- 
did all that the English had accomplished in six 
months. Except that they had gained New York, 




Old cannon at Princeton 



CONTINENTAL MONEY 



33 



they were no better off than when they started. 
Here was Washington safe at Morris town, and in 
control of most of New Jersey. At the same time 
he was where he could reach the Hudson valley in 
case of need. Washington had conducted a whole 
campaign in nine days. 

The patriots were cheered by the skillful leadership 
of the commander in chief and by the sturdy bravery 
of his men. Nevertheless they had not raised money 
to pay their soldiers in a long time. The reason 
for this was that Congress had no money — nor 
any means of getting money. It could say to each 
of the several states: "We need so much for our 
troops; your share will be so many dollars," but it 
could not compel the state to pay that amount. 

All through the war. Congress was hard pressed to 

raise money. In 1775 
the gov- 

Paper money 

ernmen t 

had started making 
paper money — bills 
which were nothing 
but printed promises 
to pay. It continued 
throughout the war 
to issue these bills, 
asking the people to accept them in place of coin. 
We use paper money to-day and we are all glad to 
get as much of it as we can. That is because we 



l<JMCS^#iM^a^^ 



(I^'No./^^^ 'Tori]/ DotCars 



ihc'^h£ie tliertof 
\.''^lf-'Z'^ cordinztoiilif/oi'u. 

71S. Sept. '.6tr, .778. 




Con'.inental paper money 



34 



INDErENDENCE 



n### No. 

ONE rnUlD' av\ 
A DOLL^Ry 

•to a Rrso- 
Ilution oF/^ 
icongrfss 
paficd at 
\Pbiluitlpbiii 
iFtbruary 17, 1776. Bi 




know tluit the I'nitod States goNCMiiiiH^nt will gi\c us 
gold or siKcr coin for it whenever we want it. We 
know that the government has something of value 
back of its hills. Best of all, it can raise money by 
taxation. But the i)eople did not ha\e this confidence 
in the old C\)ntinental gcn- 
ernment. 'Vhvy thought it 
\ery unlikel)- tluit it would 
li\e to pa)' coin for these 
^^ritten promises. So they 
were \er>- slow^ to take the 
i)aper money in return for 
things they had to sell or 
for ser\ ices rendered. 

The result was that the 
paper gradualh' became al- 
most ^\()^lhK>ss. As Wash- 
ington once said, it would 
take a load of jiapir bills io \)\xy for a load of potatoes. 
In fact, the C\)nlincM\tal currenc}', as it was called, 
had so little \alue that we even yet say of any 
worthless thing that it is " not worth a continental." 
By the end of tlu« war many million dollars of this 
jxiper mone>' had l)eea issued, and it was never 
redeemed. 

With so much trouble over money matters, Wash- 
ington found it hard to hold the troops 

Robert Morris ' t 1 • 

together. In desperation he wrote to his 
friend, Robert Morris, a wealtlw banker of Phila- 




[Continental paper uioiioy 



PLANS OF rill': Hki'i'isii 35 

dclphia, askint; liim to get ^$5(),<)()() in money as 
(liiiekly as he ecnikl. On New Year's Day Morris 
went eailing. At the door of friend and stranger he 
knocked and asked lor lielp. Hy noon he had raisi'd 
the re(iiiired amount, and Washington received il in 
time to save the army. 

While Washington was trying to strengthen his 
army the British were planning for the c(jming 
summer. They saw plainly that it was British plans 
not enough to hold the city of New York, to gain 
They needed to concjuer the entire state. ^^^ ^'^^^ 
So they laid a threefold plan, (i) (General Piurgoyne 
was to invade New York state by way of Canada and 
Lake Champlain. (2) Cok^nel St. Legcr was to go 
by way of the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario into 
the Mohawk valley. Marching through this valley, 
he was to join Rurgoyne on the Hudson. (3) Gen- 
eral Mowe, with the greater i)orti()n of his army, was 
to leave the city of New York and go uj) the Hudson, 
joining the other two at Albany. 

All this seemed an excellent plan and easy to carry 
out, especially as there were many Tories in New York 
who doubtless would lend their aid. With the 
colonies thus cut in two, the British thought they 
would lind little difhculty in putting down first one 
and then the other group of rebels. Let us see how 
each of these three plans worked out. 

(Plan I.) Burgoyne came up Laki' (^hamplain in 
June, 1777, and cn|)lurcd Ticonderoga. Il is saitl that 



36 INDKPKNDENCE 

when the news of this victory was brought to the 
king he clapped his hands and exclaimed, "I have 
beaten them. I have beaten all the Americans!" 

However, Burgoyne, in passing from Lake Cham- 
plain to the Hudson, found his way blocked by fallen 
trees and ruined bridges. If the Amer- 

Battle of . , , , ^ ^ , . 

-, . ^ leans were not strong enough to meet hrni 

Bennington ^ ° * 

in battle, they were at least clever enough 
to hinder his advance. Burgoyne had to leave be- 
hind him many soldiers to safeguard the transportation 
of his supplies, which came from Canada. Hence his 
progress was slow. He knew that the Americans 
had stores at Bennington, Vermont, so he sent about 
a thousand Hessians to secure them. The invaders 
were met by Colonel Stark with a body of militia, 
and so successfully did the Americans fight that only 
about seventy of the Hessians got back to the British 
camp. This was a hard blow to Burgoyne. 

(Plan 2.) St. Leger gathered a number of Tories 
and Six-Nation Indians about him and proceeded to 

the Mohawk valley as planned. His first 

^ . , move was to besiege Fort Stanwix, which 

Onskany _ ° 

was held by six hundred Continentals. 
One day he learned that an army of eight hundred 
patriots was on its way to reenforce the garrison at 
the fort. St. Leger sent a detachment of troops to 
meet it. At Oriskany the Americans were caught in 
a ravine and a terrible struggle followed. The gal- 
lant American commander, General Herkimer, was 



BATTLE OF ORISKANY 37 

severely wounded, but, seated at the foot of a tree, 
he continued to shout his cheering orders to his men. 
The Americans held the field, and the British retreated. 
This has been called " the bloodiest conflict in the 
war of the Revolution." 

" As men who fight for home and child and wife, 
As men oblivious of life 

In holy martyrdom, 
Tiie yeomen of the valley fought that day, 
Throughout thy fierce and deadly fray, — 

Blood-red Oriskany. 

" Heroes are born in such a chosen hour; 
From common men they rise, and tower. 

Like thee, brave Herkimer! 
Who wounded, steedless, still beside the beech 
Cheered on thy men with sword and speech. 

In grim Oriskany." * 

It was in this campaign that the American flag of 
stars and stripes was hoisted for the first time. While 
holding Fort Stanwix, the Continentals made a sortie 
in which they captured five British flags. These they 
hoisted, upside down, over their fort. Then above 
them they raised their own flag, which the men had 
hastily put together. 

In June, 1777, Congress had decided upon a national 
flag. It was to be of alternate red and white stripes, 
thirteen of them, with a blue field containing thirteen 

* Charles D. Helmer: The IJattlc of Oriskany. 



38 



INDEPENDENCE 



Our first flag 



white stars in a circle. Red was the emblem of 
strength, blue of unity, and white of purity. Mrs. 
Betsy Ross had, some weeks earlier, made 
the first flag of this 
design. But she would have 
found little resemblance to her 
beautiful handiwork in the first 
Red, White, and Blue raised over 
Fort Stanwix on August 6. One 
man gave his white shirt, another 
his blue coat, and a third, strips 
of his wife's red flannel petticoat. 
It was a curious makeshift, but 
the three colors went up with a lusty hurrah 
from the throats of the proud Americans. 
St. Leger continued to besiege the fort, 
but help for the defenders was near at hand. 

Benedict Arnold was approach- ^""^^ national 
ing with a strong force of pa- 
triots. When the two armies were about 
twenty miles apart Arnold played a clever trick upon 
the enemy. Through a captured Tory and a friendly 
Oneida Indian he spread abroad exaggerated stories 
of the size and strength of the American army that 
was coming. The Indians were frightened and fled. 
In a very short while St. Leger, with what was left 
of his army, pushed back to Oswego and embarked. 
This left Burgoyne with no one to depend upon but 
Howe. 




/ 



Retreat of 
St. Leger 



HOWE OCCUPIES PHILADELPHIA 39 

(Plan 3.) Howe was at New York. Here he was 

in daily conference with a man whose name makes a 

dark l)lot on the pages of our history, 

General Charles Lee. It was he who had . 

Lee 

refused to obey Washington. Now, taken 
prisoner by the British, he turned traitor. Forget- 
ting the loyalty due his country, he laid before Howe 
the plans of the American army. He assured Howe 
that Washington had sent so many soldiers into 
New York that his forces were greatly weakened. 
Since Howe had not yet received direct orders 
to join Burgoyne, this seemed his chance to cap- 
ture Philadelphia. He first tried to draw the 
Americans away from their strong position at Mor- 
ristown, but found that Washington was not thus 
to be caught. 

Then Howe started over again, this time sailing 
southward to Chesapeake Bay, with the hope of reach- 
ing Philadelphia in that way. Soon after Brandywine 
he landed, Washington met him at and 
Brand>wine Creek. Here, owing to the Germantown 
superior strength of the British army — 18,000 
against 11,000 — the Americans were defeated. But 
Washington so hindered Howe in his march to Phil- 
adelphia that it took him two whole weeks to make 
the twenty-six miles. Again, in October, he attacked 
Howe, this time just outside of Philadelphia, at 
German town. Again Washington was defeated, and 
people wondered what he was doing. They could 



40 INDEPENDENCE 

not understand why he was continually putting his 
army in a position to be beaten. But this was not 
carelessness on the part of the great general. It was 
a well-laid plan to keep Howe, since he had deliber- 
ately walked into Washington's hands, so busy that 
he could not spare a single man to be sent to Bur- 
goyne in New York. 

And indeed Burgoyne's need was very great. The 

American forces under Gates were pressing him hard. 

Expecting Howe to join him, he crossed 

urren er o ^^^^ Hudson and stationed his men just 

Burgoyne 

below Saratoga. At this move, a detach- 
ment of Americans pushed northward and cut him off 
from Ticonderoga, his supply headquarters. Now 
he was fairly trapped. There was naught to do but 
fight. This Burgoyne did right gallantly. Two 
battles were waged. In the first the British were 
driven back; in the second they were defeated be- 
yond question. On October 17, 1777, Burgoyne 
surrendered his whole army. Thus, by forcing St. 
Leger to retreat and capturing Burgoyne, the Ameri- 
cans completely defeated England in the first of her 
two great plans for subduing her rebels. 

In Europe the capture of Burgoyne's army pro- 
duced a tremendous stir. The French rejoiced. 
Now indeed they would be safe in helping the 
struggling little country. So they recognized the 
United States as an independent nation and prom- 
ised her aid. 



EARLY BATTLES OF THE WAR 41 

FOR CAREFUL STUDY 

On July 4, 1776, the American colonists declared 
to the world that they were free, and independent of 
England. This action was taken only after they had 
appealed to the king to give them their rights, and 
he had ignored their appeal. There remained, it 
seemed, but one thing to do — to declare war for 
independence. 

The British had already sailed away from Boston. 
Their next move was to gain control of the region 
about New York. They defeated the Americans in 
the battle of Long Island, August, 1776. Washington 
skillfully retreated through New Jersey, hard pressed 
l)y the enemy. Suddenly he fell upon the Hessians 
at Trenton, December 26, 1776, taking them prisoners 
and capturing valuable supplies. 

Washington won the battle of Princeton and closed 
his campaign by gaining the strategic position of 
Morristown. He spent the remainder of the winter 
strengthening his army. Robert Morris rendered 
valuable service by responding to Washington's appeal 
to raise money for the troops. 

The summer and fall of 1777 marked defeat for 
the British. They hoped to gain control of the 
Hudson valley, thus separating New England from 
the other colonies. Burgoyne came down to the 
Hudson from Lake Champlain, but part of his 
army suffered defeat at Bennington. Burgoyne was 
to be met by St. Leger, who was to come through 
the Mohawk valley. But St. Leger was obliged to 
retreat to Oswego. 



EARLY BATTLES OF THE WAR 43 

Howe, also, was to join Burgoyne, comino up from 
New York. But Howe got the idea that Burgoyne 
could take care of himself. So he sailed to Chesa- 
peake Bay in order to occupy Philadelphia. Wash- 
ington harassed the British in their march north to 
Philadelphia, and although he was beaten at Brandy- 
wine and Germantown, he kept the British busy for 
many days. By this means Washington kept Howe 
away from Burgoyne. Burgoyne, thus left to him- 
self, was defeated at Saratoga . and forced to sur- 
render, October 17, 1777. One result of this victory 
was that France recognized the independence of the 
Americans and planned to aid them. 

FACTS TO BE MEMORIZED 

The Declaration of Independence was adopted at Phila- 
delphia, July 4, 1776. 

The capture of Burgoyne's army, 1777, prevented the English 
from dividing the colonies in two along the Hudson, and secured 
French aid for the Americans. 

Bibliography 

Trenton. — Blaisdell and Ball: Hero Stories from American His- 

tory. 
Valley Forge. — Tappan: American Hero Stories. 
Washington. — Parsons: George Washington. 

Scudder: George Washington. 

Scelye: Story of Washington. 
General. — Brooks: Century Book of the American Revolution. 

Hart and Hill: Camps and Firesides of the Revo- 
lution. 

Henty: True to the Old Flag. 

Holden: Our Country's Flag. 

Kaler: Boys of Fort Schuyler. 

Mason: Tom Strong. 

Mitchell: A Venture in 1777. 



44 INDEPENDENCE 

Perry: Three Little Daughters of the Revolution. 

Smith: Boys and Girls of Seventy-seven. 

Stoddard: Battle of New York. 

Stoddard: Guert Ten Eyck. 

Stoddard: Red Patriot. 

Tomlinson: A Jersey Boy in the Revolution. 

Tomlinson: In the Hands of the Redcoats. 

Tomlinson: Lieutenant under Washington. 

Tomlinson: Rider of the Black Horse. 

Tomlinson: Under Colonial Colors. 

True: Scouting for Washington. 

Wright: Children's Stories in American History. 



w: ft 




CHAPTER III 
RECOGNITION 

For some time before France formally recognized 
the struggling Americans as a nation, many French 
noblemen had been privately aiding them. Even the 
king had secretly sent money for the cause of freedom. 
This generosity was largely due to the influence in the 
French court of one x'\merican, Benjamin Franklin. 

Franklin had been a printer. For many years he 
published " Poor Richard's Almanac," whose numer- 
ous quaint sayings soon became widely 
, T- 1 r Franklin 

known. Even to-day we quote many of 

them, such as " Early to bed and early to rise, makes 
a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." Franklin was 
also a student of the sciences, and his reputation as a 
thinker was now almost world-wide. It was he who 
first proved that lightning is caused by electricity. 

Franklin had served his country in many ways. 
He had founded the first hospital and the first circu- 
lating library in America. He had been a postmaster 
and had made great improvements in the methods of 
carrying the mails. 

Franklin was sent to France in order to plead the 
American cause. His arrival in Paris was a great 

45 



46 



RECOGNITION 



Hale 

persuaded 
diplomat. 



event. His portrait appeared in the shop windows, 
and snuffboxes bore his picture on their covers. 
To the French people he seemed to represent the 
best of American qualities, fairness and common 
sense. Benjamin Franklin was our greatest influence 
abroad. 

It thus seems that there are several ways in which 
to serve one's country. Washington devoted to it 
his remarkable skill as a statesman and a 
general. Morris lent his money and 
others to lend theirs. Franklin was a 
Nathan Hale served as a spy and gave his 
life for his country. When, after 
the battle of Long Island, Washing- 
ton needed some one to go into the 
enemy's camp to find out their plans, 
it was Hale who offered his services. 
He secured the much needed infor- 
mation, but was caught on his way 
back, tried, and condemned to death 
as a spy. As he was led out to be 
hanged, a British officer taunted 
him with, "This is a fine death for 
a soldier to die." "If I had 
ten thousand lives to live, I 
would lay them down in defense 
of my injured and bleeding 
country," gallantly retorted 
Captain Hale. His farewell letters to family and 




Statue of Nathan Hale, 
New York 



VALLEY FORGE 47 

friends were torn up before his eyes; but he never 

flinched. His last words were, "1 regret that I have 

but one hfe to lose for my country." These are 

some of the great names of our history, and along 

each line of service there were other men, all giving 

and doing their best, though their names have slipped 

out of mind as quietly as their services were given. 

The glad tidings of French support came in May, 

1778, after the saddest winter in the history of the 

Revolutionary War. The British troops, 

under Howe, had been quartered in ., ".^ ^^ ^ 

^ Valley Forge 

Philadelphia. Washington, in order to 
keep close watch on them, stationed his troops at 
Valley Forge, only twenty miles away. It was a 
good location for the army to hold, but the men 
spent a dreadful winter there. Much of this suffering 
might have been avoided if the Continental govern- 
ment had managed better. 

The soldiers were without proper shelter. Some 
lived in crudely Iniilt loghouses; but most of them, 
lived in huts made of piled up sods, or of fence rails 
tied together at the top, the holes being stopped with 
clay. This might not have been so bad if the soldiers 
had been furnished with clothing, blankets, and food. 
All of these supplies could have been provided if 
Congress had managed properly. As it was, the fare 
was worse than wretched. There were days when 
no one tasted meat, and times when the soldiers were 
even without l)read. In the bitter cold of night 



48 RECOGNITION 

they huddled about the campfires, fearing to leave 
the grateful warmth lest they freeze to death. Those 
who were fortunate enough to have blankets gener- 
ously gave away strips of them to their brother 
soldiers to wrap about their bleeding feet. 

Remembering that there were among these suffer- 
ers men who were accustomed to living in comfort, 
or even luxury, we realize that our forefathers paid a 
heavy price for the freedom that we enjoy. Wash- 
ington suffered with his men and for them. It is 
told that a Quaker one day came upon Washington 
in a lonely bit of deep woods. The commander of 
many men was on his knees. Tears streamed down 
his cheeks as he prayed. Reverently the Quaker 
withdrew. Relating this incident to his wife, he said, 
" I tell thee, George Washington will succeed! The 
Americans will surely win their independence ! I have 
heard him pray in the forest to-day, Hannah, and the 
Lord will surely hear his prayer." 

Washington's enemies added to the bitterness of 

that winter. Even members of Congress, who should 

have known better, found fault with 
Lafayette 

him. It was such loyal friends as the 

young Marquis de Lafayette who comforted him. 
Lafayette was a very rich and very popular young 
nobleman of the French court. The cause of the 
Americans had won his heart. He had written to 
Congress offering himself as a volunteer, and prom- 
ising to pay his own expenses. Needless to say, 



V 



FRIENDS FROM OTHER LANDS 49 

his offer had been joyfully accepted. He liked the 

Americans immediately, and, in turn, quickly made 

for himself a warm place in the hearts of the 

struggling people. That this man so used to 

luxury should cast his lot with the sufferers 

of Valley Forge, increased their own courage. 

Another foreigner who became interested 

in the Americans was a Prussian officer. 

Baron von Steuben. The French 

Steuben 
government sent hmi across the 

waters to give the raw American troops the 
drill and discipline they so greatly needed. 
When he saw their poverty and misery at 
Valley Forge, he paid Washington a high 
compliment, saying, "There is not a com- 
mander in Europe who could keep together 
troops so wretched as these." Steuben began 
to work with a will. First he scolded and 
' yelled at the men because they were so 
^Iwor?'^ stupid. In the next breath, in queer half- 
German, half-English talk, he complimented 
them on their ability to learn quickly. Then, like 
a flash, he turned on them a torrent of anger for 
some blunder. Nevertheless, before the winter had 
passed, he was proud of his troops, and with good 
cause. 

When the French fmally decided to help, they made 
good their word by sending over a fleet. At its 
approach Sir Henry Clinton, who was now in com- 



50 RECOGNITION 

mand in General Howe's place, left Philadelphia and 

moved to New York. Washington followed and 

partly surrounded him by stretching his 

The British ^ \ ,^ . .,7 tT • 

in New York army from Morristown to West romt. 

Clinton began sending out war parties 
who scattered destruction as they went. He hoped, 
by making raids upon the people of Connecticut, to 
draw Washington to their rescue and thus get him 
away from New York. 

Instead of failing into this trap, Washington 
planned an attack on Stony Point, hoping that the 

British would be tempted to leave Con- 
ap ure necticut. Stony Point was wonderfully 

well fortified. But with his usual good 
judgment Washington chose Anthony Wayne for the 
difhcult task. "Mad Anthony," his soldiers called 
him because of his reckless daring, but they were 
always ready to follow his lead. Now, under cover 
of darkness, Wayne led his men through the woods 
to the fort. There they separated into two columns, 
and at a signal, bayonet in hand, rushed upon the fort, 
which went down before them. 

It will be remembered that St. Leger, in his expedi- 
tion through the Mohawk valley, had depended largely 

upon the Indians and the Tories of the 
roquois region. His expedition had been a fail- 

punished * f 

ure, but the Indians, urged by the British, 

continued to conduct scalping and burning parties. 

Washington sent General Sullivan to subdue them. 



JOHN PAUL JONES 51 

He destroyed fully forty Indian villages and so weak- 
ened the power of the Six Nations that they were 
nev^er troublesome again. Other Indians were active 
on our western frontier. In 1778 George Rogers 
Clark marched into the country north of ciark in the 
the Ohio. He defeated the English and Northwest 
their Indian allies so completely that the Territory 
Americans were later able to claim all the land from 
the Ohio northward to the Great Lakes. 

Before taking up the final campaign of the war, 
we must turn for a moment to the high seas. Small 
as was the American navy, it still man- 
aged to snatch a bit of glory from old j° " 
England, the Mistress of the Seas. The 
na\al hero of the American Revolution was John 
Paul Jones. He was a Scotchman by birth, but a 
mighty fighter for America. He succeeded in making 
his name a word to be feared in the coast towns of Eng- 
land and Scotland. Jones was in command of five 
ships, most of them, provided by the French. One 
evening in September, 1779, while off the eastern coast 
of England, he sighted two men-of-war escorting some 
merchant vessels. He attacked the larger. In the 
heat of action Jones's vessel, the Bonhomme Richard, 
and the English ship, Serapis, came close to each 
other. Jones seized this opportunity boldly to lash 
the two ships together. Climbing their rigging, his 
men hurled hand grenade^s down upon the enemy's 
deck. Terror seized the English crew. Their com- 



52 RECOGNITION 

mander was forced to surrender, and John Paul Jones 
was the hero of the hour. 

England had failed to conquer New York state. 
There now remained to her the second large plan of 
attack, that is, beginning with Georgia and working 
northward, to subdue the states one by one. But 
England really did not want to carry on the war. 
There were many in her land who urged the king and 
Parliament to acknowledge American independence. 

Our stanch friend, William Pitt, came from a sick 
bed to make a last great speech in Parliament. In 
it he said, "No man more highly esteems and hon- 
ors the English troops than I do. I know their 
virtues and their valor; I know they can achieve 
anything but impossibilities; and I know that the 
conquest of English America is an impossibility. 
You cannot, my Lords, you cannot conquer America. 
... If I were an American as I am an Englishman, 
while a foreign troop was landed in my country, I 
never would lay down my arms — never, never, 



never 



One reason why England could not conquer America 
was the part played by France. When France be- 
Loss of friended the rebellious colonies, as Eng- 

Georgia and land termed them, there was nothing left 
South Carolina f^j. ^^^ mother country to do but to 
declare war against France. That country in turn 
provoked a quarrel between Spain and England. 
Thus England was kept quite busy with her affairs 



THE ENGLISH IN THE SOUTH 



;3 



in Europe. She had few troops to spare for America. 
In December, 1778, howexer, England sent an expe- 
dition to the far south. Savan- 
nah was taken, and a royal go\'- 
ernor placed over Georgia. In 
1780 Clinton captured Charles- 
ton, and soon gained control of 
South Carolina. Things seemed 
to be going well with the English 
plan. But before long the Ameri- 
cans were successfully annoying 
the \-ictors. Small parties of dar- 
ing men captured supply wagons, 
broke into camp during the night, 
and kept the intruders ever anx- 
ious, ever in danger. 

W^ashington wished to send 
General Greene to relieve South Carolina. But Gen- 
eral Gates wanted the position, and, hav- 
ing much power in Congress, obtained it. 
He encountered Cornwallis at Camden, South Caro- 
lina, where the Americans suffered one of the worst 
defeats of the war. 

Now indeed the outlook was dark and gloomy to 
the Americans. To add to their troubles, one of their 
brilliant fighters turned traitor. Bene- 
dict Arnold, the hero of many a battle, 
let love of money and disappointed ambi- 
tion conquer his better self. Clinton was in command 




An American soldier of 
the south 



Camden 



Arnold's 
treason 



54 



RECOGNrriON 



ill New York, having left the south when the English 
had gained a firm footing in South Carolina and 
Georgia. Arnold secured command of West Point, 
and then began to make arrangements to give it over 
to the English. For his treachery he was to receive 
from the English a large sum of money and a high 
office in their army. Fortunately, the plot was dis- 
covered. Arnold escaped to the English, and served 
under them to the end of the war. 
'Hiose who knew him best said that 
his guilt weiglied upon him like an 
(Acrpowering burden during the 
remainder of his life. 

With success behind him in 
( leorgia and South Carolina, Corn- 
Wcillis sent twelve hundred men 




At West Point 



BATTLES IN THE SOUTH 55 

into the western part of North CaroHna. These were 

met by a strong though untrained force 

of mountaineers, who defeated and cap- jyiQ^ntain 

tured them at Kings Mountain. 

Congress was now willing to let Washington send 

Greene into the south. Greene had fine men to help 

him, Morgan, Marion, " The Swamp 

Cowpens 
Fox," "Light Horse" Harry Lee, and 

Washington's cousin, William Washington. But his 

army was only 2000 in all. poorly clothed, and with 

few weapons, and the soldiers had been without pay 

for man>- months. With such a force he feared to 

risk open battle. Yet the Americans won the next 

important conflict, — the battle of Cowpens, in which 

Morgan's men completely routed the British under 

Tarleton. 

During the next few weeks the two armies pursued 

each other from place to place. First Cornwallis 

drove Greene out of North Carolina and 

into \'irginia. But somehow he could ^ °lj 

=> Court House 

never catch him. Then Greene came 
down upon Cornwallis, and they fought a terrible 
battle at Guilford Court House. The British, while 
not actually beaten, lost so many men that they had 
to fall back to the coast. Cornwallis then marched 
into Mrginia and established himself at Yorktown. 
This gave Greene his chance to advance through the 
three southern colonies and win back all except the 
cities of Wilmington, Charleston, and Savannah. 



56 



RECOGNITION 



Let us now see just how matters stood in the 
summer of 1781. Clinton was in New York, with 
Washington keeping close watch on him. Corn- 
wallis was at Yorktown, with young Lafayette watch- 
ing him, Greene had command of the American 
forces in the far south. 

It was now that there came to the mind of the 

master general one of his brilliant flashes of genius. 

A French fleet with a goodly number of 

Surrender of ^ , . rj.,. , , 

troops was soon to arrive. 1 his would 
Cornwallis ^ ^ ^ 

be sufficient to keep off any British re- 
enforcements by sea. Then, if Washington were to 
join Lafayette, together they might surround Corn- 
wallis at Yorktown. Washington turned his men 
from their careful watch of Clinton to a rapid march 
toward Yorktown. For some time Clinton did not 
see what this move meant. When he did finally 
realize how he had been outwitted, his cunning foe 

was too far away to be 
reached. Then Clinton 
sent a fleet southward 
from New York. But 
the French ships had ar- 
ri\'ed, and prevented the 
English from approach- 




British cannon captured at Yorktown 



ing the land. Corn- 
wallis was trapped. A 
strong force of Americans and French was before him, 
and a hostile fleet was at his back, cutting off supplies. 



SURRENDER OF CORNVVALLIS 57 

For over a month he withstood the siege. But he was 
outplayed. Surrender he must, and did. 

\\'hen, a year before this, the EngHsh had captured 
Charleston, they had demanded that the bands of 
the defeated Americans play while the victorious Eng- 
lish army marched into the city. The Americans now 
insisted that the tables be turned, and the English 
band played a quaint old tune known as "The World's 
Turned Upside Down." The Americans lined up on 
the right, the French army on the left. 

"Now all is hushed; the gleaming lines 
Stand moveless as the neighboring pines; 
While through them, sullen, grim, and slow, 
The conquered hosts of England go." * 

Washington dispatched a messenger to carry the 
good news to the president of the Continental Con- 
gress at Philadelphia. It was early morning when 
the jubilant horseman clattered through the silent 
streets. He knocked loudly on the president's door. 
The night watchman rushed up to learn the cause of 
the disturbance. To him the messenger shouted the 
joyful tidings, as he disappeared into the house. The 
watchman continued on his rounds, calling through 
the still night, "Past two o'clock and Cornwallis is 
taken!" Then into the next street he went, and the 
next, still calling, "Past two o'clock and Cornwallis 
is taken!" People leaped from their beds, listened a 

* Whittier: \'orktown. 



58 RECOGNITION 

moment lo \)v sure that tl\oy were hearing- aright, 
then witli Utile thought of how they were dressed 
rushed out into the streets. Sueh exeitement the 
staid old tow'n had seldom known. Men clasped 
hands and slapped each other on the back. Women 
laughed and cried. The war was over. 

It is said that when the news of the surrender of 
Cornwallis reached England, Lord North, the prime 
minister, exclaimed, "It is all over!" And so it was, 
except that a treaty of peace had yet to be agreed 
upon. To secure good terms w^as sure to be hard, for 
it was not England alone that had to be reckoned 
with. France, because she had been our devoted 
ally during the w^ar, felt that much was due her. 
Spain also, as the friend of h^rance and the enemy of 
England, stood by, hoi)ing to get something for 
herself. 

The United States sent to Paris as peace com- 
missioners three of her greatest and shrewdest states- 
men. These were John Jay and John 
reayo Adams, both level-headed patriots, and 

Paris, 1783 ' . t- ' 

Franklin, who had done so much to secure 
to the struggling states the friendship of France. It 
took them several months to argue with all the parties 
concerned and finally to secure for their new nation 
the best possible terms. But they did this work so 
well that in the treaty, which was signed in the latter 
part of 1783, they gained nearly every important 
point for which they had been asking. 



TREATY f)F PARIS 59 

The chief struggle had Ijeen over the western 
boundary Hne of the United States. The greatest 
victory of the Americans was the fixing of this line 
at the Mississippi River. Thus the United States, 
bounde;d on the north by Canada, an English colony, 
and on the south and west by Spanish territory, 
began its career with a vast empire, over 800,000 square 
miles in extent. 

"Here began the kingdom not of kings, but men; 
Began the making of the world again. 
Hail, America, hail! the glory of lands! 
To thee high honors are given, 
Thy stars shall blaze 
Till the moon veil her rays, 
And the sun lose his pathway in heaven." 

FOR CAREFUL STUDY 

PVance followed her recognition of American inde- 
pendence by sending over an army and a fleet. 

Clinton succeeded Howe in command of the British 
forces in J'hiladelj^hia and soon moved to New York, 
Washington watching him closely. Clinton did little 
but send out raiding jjarties into the neighboring terri- 
tory. For the Americans, Ceneral Wayne made a 
Iiriiliant capture of Stony Point, July 16, 1779. 

Two months later John Paul Jones won an important 
naxal victory off the coast of England. He also 
captured several of the enemy's vessels in the English 
Channel. 



6o 



RECOGNITION 




SCALE OF MILES 



50 100 200 



The United States in 1783 



The British, failing in their northern campaign, 
had turned their attention southward. They took 
Savannah in December, 1778, and appointed a royal 
governor over Georgia. In 1780 CHnton captured 



END OF THE WAR 6 1 

Charleston and added South Carolina to the English 
conquests. With these two states under control, 
Clinton returned to New York. 

Cornwallis, in command of the English, and Greene 
in command of the Americans, operated against each 
other in North Carolina and Virginia. They finally 
met in the bloody battle of Guilford Court House, 
which resulted in the retreat of the British to the 
coast. 

Washington now made a brilliant move. He sud- 
denly left off watching Clinton in New York, and, by 
a hurried march, was soon in front of Cornwallis 
at Yorktown. A French fleet made it impossible for 
the English to reenforce Cornwallis, and on October 19, 
1 78 1, he surrendered his army. This virtually ended 
the war. 

A treaty was signed at Paris, 1783, by which Eng- 
land acknowledged the independence of her former 
colonies. The treaty also fixed the boundary lines of 
the new nation. On the north, the United States 
was bounded by Canada; on the east, by the Atlantic 
Ocean; on the south, by Florida, a Spanish posses- 
sion; on the west, by the Mississippi River. 



FACTS TO BE MEMORIZED 

The surrender of Cornwallis to Washington, at Yorktown, 
1 78 1, practically ended the Revolutionary War. 

By the Treaty of Paris, 1783, at the close of the Revolutionary 
War, England recognized American independence, and the 
boundary lines of the United States were agreed upon. 



62 



RECOGNITION 



Bibliography 

Clark. — McMurry: Pioneers of the Mississippi Valley. 

Roosevelt: Stories of the Great West. 

Tappan: American Hero Stories. 
Franklin. — Autobiography. 

Tappan: American Hero Stories. 
Hale. — Blaisdell and Ball: Hero Stories from American His 

tory. 

Bouve: American Heroes and Heroines, 
Jones. — Bouve: American Heroes and Heroines. 

Sea well: Paul Jones. 

Tappan: American Hero Stories. 
Lafayette. — Brooks: True Story of Lafayette. 

Kaler: With Lafayette at Yorktown. 
Marion. — Morris: Historical Tales. 
Stony Point. — -Tappan: American Hero Stories. 
Wayne. — Tomlinson: Camp-fire of Mad Anthony. 

Tomlinson: Mad Anthony's Young Scout. 
Yorktown. — Stoddard: The Spy of Yorktown. 

Tomlinson: Two Young Patriots. 
General. — Brooks: In Blue and White. 

Brooks: Son of the Revolution. 

Chase: A Daughter of the Revolution. 

Ide: Loyal Little Red Coat. 

Matthews: Tom Paulding. 

Stoddard: The Noank's Log. 

Tomlinson: In the Cam]) of Cornwallis. 

Tomlinson: Marching against the Iroquois. 

True: Scouting for Light Horse Harry. 




" Washington took the oath of oflBce ' 



CHAPTER IV 
THE UNITING OF THE STATES 

By the Treaty of Paris, 1783, which closed the 
American Revolution, the United States was awarded 
a territory larger than the combined area of the 
present countries of France, Spain, Great Britain, and 
Germany. It might be supposed that the new Ship 
of State thus launched would have fair weather and 
smooth sailing. On the contrary, the following live or 
six years of our history have been called the Critical 
Period, and we do not have to look far to see the reason. 

In the first place, the very size of the country made 
it difficult to build up a strong nation. Hundreds of 
miles separate the states of Massachu- 
setts and Georgia, and those hundreds ^ 

^ ' to union 

of miles meant far more in those days 
than they do now. Even the trip from Boston to 
New York was a great undertaking. It is now made 
daily by thousands of people, and requires but five or 
six hours. In colonial days one had to spend a week 
on a trying and dangerous journey by coach. So it 
is not strange that the people of Massachusetts did 
not feel very closely related to the people of Georgia, 
or even to those of the states nearer by. 
63 



64 THE UNITING OF THE STATES 

The colonists were separated not only by distance, 
but also by differences in religion and traditions 
and ways of living. While they were fighting side 
by side against England, they had forgotten these 
differences. But now that war was over and their 
independence recognized, most of the people naturally 
fell back into their old ways of looking at things. 
That is, the people of \'irginia thought of themselves 
as Virginians, those of Pennsylvania as Pennsylva- 
nians, and so on; few of them found it easy to think 
of themselves as all belonging to one country. 

In fact, people were gi\'ing most of their attention 
to recovering from the effects of the war. The)- 
wanted to lead peaceful lives and attend to their 
business in shop or field. They paid taxes to their 
state government, and most of them cared little about 
the central government with headquarters at far-off" 
Philadelphia. 

But there was one matter in particular that helped 
to make people think of themselves as a united 
nation. This concerned the ownership of the western 
lands. The union of the states made it necessary to 
settle a dispute of long standing. Some of the states 
claimed that their original charters had given them 
everything "from sea to sea." When they began to 
extend their boundaries to the iNHssissippi there was 
great confusion. The lines conflicted, and it was 
hard to decide which were right. The other states 
which, as colonies, had had no western lands, now 



THE WESTERN LANDS 6$ 

claimed a share in them. They argued that they 

had done their part in the Revolution and so had 

helped to gain the independence of all the territory 

belonging to the states. 

The matter was settled peaceably. The states, 

one after another, yielded to Congress their claims to 

most of the land in question. The part 

north of the Ohio River became known „ 

1787 

as the Northwest Territory. Congress 
proceeded to make a law for its government, called 
the "Ordinance of 1787." This law was important 
for several reasons. One of its provisions was that, 
when the population was large enough, the people 
might then elect a legislature to m.ake their laws. 
Another prohibited slavery forever in all parts of the 
Northwest Territory. 

As this and other problems pressed for solution, the 
leaders saw that if America was ever to become a 
powerful nation there must be a change in the form 
of its government. For the years preceding, the states 
had kept together under an agreement called the Ar- 
ticles of Confederation. It was under these Articles 
that Congress had carried on the war for independence. 

The Articles of Confederation, useful as they were, 
iiad many serious defects. All the states 
sent delegates to Congress, but when a _ , , 
vote was taken on any measure each 
state was allowed only one vote, no matter how 
many delegates it might have. 



66 THE UNITING OF THE STATES 

Again, Congress had no power to enforce its own 
laws, and there was no single head like a king or a 
president who could enforce the laws. Worst of all. 
Congress had no power to get money by means of 
taxes. Congress had full power to declare and wage 
war, but this was not enough. Warfare is costly. 
It is one thing to say, " We are now at war." It 
is quite another thing to raise the money with which to 
carry on the war, for soldiers must be paid and ammu- 
nition and supplies must be bought. Congress could 
borrow money, and did borrow a great deal. It could 
also call upon the different states to pay their share of 
the expenses, but it had no way of compelling them to 
pay if they declined. The result was that the states 
were slow in contributing funds. Each one made the 
tardiness of its neighbors its own excuse for delay. 

This was only one of the weak points of the gov- 
ernment. There were many others. Matters kept 
going from bad to worse. The states quarreled among 
themselves and with Congress. At last it was seen that 
something must be done to patch up the weak Articles 
of Confederation. So Congress asked all the states 
to send delegates to a convention for this purpose. In 
May, 1787, the Federal Convention met at Phila- 
delphia, with delegates from every state except Rhode 
Island. 

Fortunately for the future of the nation, there 
were among these delegates some of the foremost 
patriots of America. All of them are deserving of 



THE FEDER^VL CONVENTION 67 

grateful remembrance, but we can speak of only a 
few of the leaders. One figure stood out bej^ond all 
the others; this was Washington, the 

, , , ,. ... The Federal 

great general. A leadmg historian says, 

"It is very doubtful if without Washing- 
ton the struggle for independence would have suc- 
ceeded as it did. Other men were important; he was 
indispensable." The nation already owed him much 
as a soldier. It came to owe him yet more as a wise 
and guiding statesman. 

Indeed, Washington had already shown his patriot- 
ism in many acts of statesmanship. There had been a 
time, just at the close of the war, when the officers of 
his army, disgusted with the government, suggested 
that Washington be made king. Had he accepted 
this suggestion it is very likely that our country 
would have been doomed to a military government. 
But the noble character of Washington resented the 
idea, and he convinced his officers that they were 
wrong. And now once more he was to lead his 
countrymen in the paths of peace. When the con- 
vention came together Washington was promptly 
chosen its chairman. 

Another famous member was Benjamin Franklin, 
who, although far advanced in years and in service to 
his country, inspired the others by his very presence. 

One of Washington's young officers, who was to 
gain greater honors in time of peace than he had on the 
field of battle, was Alexander Hamilton, a delegate 



68 



THE UNITING OF THE STATES 



from New York. Small in stature, keen of intellect, 
a scholar and an orator, Hamilton soon became a 
leader on the floor of the convention. 




Hamilton's tomb, in New York 



Another member was James Madison, a Virginian. 
He had not fought in the field, but through the trying 
years of the war had faithfully served as a member 
of the legislature of his state and of the Federal Con- 
gress. Not only was he an active worker In the con- 
vention, but he rendered a service of particular value. 
The sessions were held in secrecy, and no outsider 
knew what was going on from day to day. But 
Madison kept a journal of all the proceedings, and 
it is from this record, published some fifty years 
later, that we learn most about what took place. 



THE CONSTITUTION 69 

When the delegates had been eaUed together it was 

understood that their business was to propose changes 

in the Articles of Confederation. They 

soon realized, however, that these Articles ^.^ ^. 

' _ _ constitution 

were so very unsatisfactory that it would 
be a waste of time to try to patch them up. It would 
be far better to begin all over again and make an 
entirely new agreement. So they set about to write 
a constitution. 

There were all sorts of opinions as to what should 
be done. The first question was: Shall we create a 
powerful central government, or shall we continue 
as a confederation of independent states? Wash- 
ington and Hamilton, with many other delegates, 
were in favor of bringing about a strong union. 
Against them were others, no less patriotic, who be- 
lieved it wiser that the states should remain important 
and powerful. They would keep the confederation, 
however, so that the states would be prepared to 
work together in time of trouble. 

Then there were jealousies between the larger states 
and the smaller ones. Those with many people 
naturally felt that they should have more control in 
the government than those with fewer people. But 
the small states maintained that each of them was just 
as much an independent nation as any of the larger 
ones. Hence they claimed equal influence for all 
states. 

There were also several other matters of difference. 



yo THE UNITING OF THE STATES 

Clearly only one solution was possible, that of com- 
promise. All must be patient. All must, keep their 
tempers. It might be possible, as to each question, 
to hit upon some middle course which, although it 
could not satisfy everybody, would be accepted be- 
cause it was far better than nothing. And so the con- 
vention labored for several weeks. 

At last, the spirit of compromise settled every im- 
portant matter. When the Constitution was finished 
it was at once seen to be a very great 
^ improvement over the Articles of Con- 

of government ^ _ 

federation. The chief gain was that the 

three different powers of government were distinctly 

separated. These three powers are known as the 

legislative, the executive, and the judicial. 

The making of the laws — the legislative power — 
was put in the hands of a new Congress, which was em- 
powered to levy taxes. This Congress was to be com- 
posed not of one house, as formerly, but of two — the 
Senate and the House of Representatives. Each 
state sends two senators; but in the House the num- 
ber of representatives from each state depends upon its 
population. This was the compromise that brought 
together the large and the small states. 

The executive power was vested in a President, 
who was to see that the laws made by Congress were 
properly enforced. 

The judicial power was given to a Supreme Court 
and to lower courts. The business of the courts is 



THE NEW GOVERN]MENT 71 

to decide what the laws mean and to settle disputes 
between parties who go to law. 

Thus the three powers of government were sepa- 
rated. But it was all so skillfully arranged that each 
branch is a check upon the others. For instance, the 
President can check Congress in its lawmaking by 
vetoing its bills. Again, the President must have 
the consent of the Senate when he appoints judges. 
Again, Congress establishes and abolishes lower 
courts. In these and in many other ways the three 
branches depend one upon another. 

It was provided by the Constitution that as soon 
as nine states should accept it, they should begin to 
live under its provisions. On June 21, jhe 
1788, New Hampshire, the ninth state, Constitution 
ratified the Constitution and it went into '■^^^^^^ 
effect. Before long, the other four states came in, one 
by one, although the last, little Rhode Island, held off 
for nearly two years. Most of the states, however, 
accepted the Constitution only with the understand- 
ing that it was to be changed in certain important 
respects. They wanted the rights of the people made 
still clearer. Accordingly, soon after the new gov- 
ernment got under way, ten amendments were added 
to the Constitution. 

Under the new Constitution certain officers were to 
be elected. Able men were chosen as members of 
Congress. For President there could be but one 
choice. All looked to Washington to guide the new 



72 



THE UNITING OF THE STATES 



nation, and he was elected without any opposition 
whatever. For Vice President, John Adams of Mas- 
sachusetts was chosen. 

The news of Washington's election was brought to 
him at Mount Vernon, his quiet plantation home on 
the west bank of the Potomac. Soon 
afterward he set out on the long journey 
to New York, then the capital. All along 
the route the people turned out in force to welcome 



Washington 
the first 
President 




Washington's home, at Mount Vernon, Virginia 



their beloved leader and to wish him godspeed in the 
work of his new office. The ovation reached its 
height in the cities of Philadelphia and Trenton. 
Here elaborate arches had been erected. Under 
these Washington rode, a conquering hero of war and 



THE FIRST PRESIDENT 73 

peace. As he passed under the Philadelphia arch a 
laurel wreath was lowered upon his head. It was a 
modest crown, but as stately as any worn by royal 
ruler. 

At the Trenton arch the President-elect was es- 
corted by schoolgirls, dressed in white, who strewed 
his path with blossoms and sang an ode in his hoijior. 
Two days later he reached New York Bay. This he 
crossed on a handsome barge which had been built 
for the memorable occasion. As the boat neared the 
Battery, and as Washington and his escort landed 
and were met by Governor Clinton, cannon boomed, 
flags waved, and the dense crowd of people cheered 
in hearty welcome. In a week's time all preparations 
for the inauguration had been completed. Standing 
on the balcony of Federal Hall, Washington took the 
oath of office, pledging himself to "preserve, protect, 
and defend the Constitution of the United States." 

Notwithstanding the glory of his inauguration and 
the hearty good will which the people throughout the 
country bore him, it was a 
heavy task that lay before 




our first President. Very ^^' /^ //^/a>^^/a/^v/^ 
perplexing problems, both at t,, ,.• _ , . 

' '^ ° ^ ' Washington's autograph 

home and abroad, had to be 

solved by the United States before it could really 
be called a successful nation. Washington selected 
some of the foremost men of the time to aid him 
in his work. 



74 THE UNITING OF THE STATES 

One of the first things to be attended to was the 
census. Each state was to send to Congress a num- 
ber of representatives in proportion to its 

population. The Constitution provides 
census '^ ^ ^ 

that, once every ten years, all the people 
in all the states shall be counted. Accordingly, the 
first census was taken in 1790, and the count showed 
the population of the entire country to be 3,929,214. 
By the thirteenth census, taken in 1910, the popula- 
tion of the United States, including its possessions, 
numbered more than 100,000,000. Thus the nation 
has increased more than twenty-fold in a little over 
a century. This is to be explained partly by the 
wonderful geography of the country and the oppor- 
tunities thus alTorded. It is in part, too, owing to 
the genius of the American people. But much is due 
to the right beginning which was made through the 
wisdom of the patriot fathers. 

Another question that was settled early in Wash- 
ington's administration was the location of the national 

capital. It was difficult to decide on a 
The capital , , , , , , , 

place that would be acceptable to every 

one. After considerable debate it was agreed to 

make Philadelphia the capital for ten years. After 

that the capital was to be on a site on the Potomac 

River. A tract of land ten miles square was selected, 

and within this district the city of Washington was 

founded. Washington has remained the capital of 

our country ever since the year 1800, 



DOMESTIC AFFAIRS 75 

But by far the most difficult home problems were 
those relating to money matters. Washington had 
appointed Alexander Hamilton, Secretary 
of the Treasury. Hamilton did his work ^j ^.^" 
with remarkable wisdom. He found fi- 
nances in a woeful condition. The Continental Con- 
gress had borrowed much money with which to carry 
on the war. Some of it had been loaned by France, 
some by Spain, some by Holland. When Hamilton 
took charge he found that the debt had reached a total 
of millions of dollars. There were some people who 
thought that the new government need not concern 
itself about old debts. But Hamilton knew better. 
Through his efforts with Congress, arrangements were 
made to repay the money. 

Hamilton shrewdly proposed that most of the 
money needed by the new government be raised by 
indirect taxation; that is, by some method 
whereby the people do not directly pay 
money to a tax collector. So Congress 
passed a tariff law, taxing goods made in foreign 
countries and brought here for sale. As a result 
people had to pay a little more for imported articles. 
With the help of this tax the government was able 
to meet its running expenses, and also slowly to pay 
off its debts. Thus, under the wise guidance of Alex- 
ander Hamilton, our government began its policy of 
strict honesty in money matters. 

At about this time, too, a mint was built. Here the 



76 



THE UNITING OF THE STATES 



United States began making its own coins, of gold 
and silver and copper, based on a new system of 




Building in Philadelphia occupied by the first mint 

dollars and cents. This replaced the English pounds, 
shillings, and pence used in colonial days. 

But it was not alone home problems that the 
officers of our government had to meet. Our rela- 
tions with foreign countries were anything 
but satisfactory. England naturally was 
looking for any pretext by which she 
might embarrass the people who had dared to throw 
off her authority. Spain, our neighbor on the south 



Foreign 
troubles 



FOREUIN AFFAIRS 77 

and west, liad hopes of eucroachiiig upon the territory 
of the weak new nation and increasing her own posses- 
sions in America. France, our friend of Revohi- 
tionar)' times, expected us to side with her in her 
troubles with the other European nations. 

There were many Americans who thought that we 
should go to any length to resent the actions of Eng- 
land and Spain and to befriend France. Washington, 
however, with his rare wisdom, kept our weak and 
struggling country out of war. Said he, "My policy 
has been and will continue to be, while I have the 
honor to remain in the administration, to maintain 
friendly terms with, but to be independent of, all 
the nations of the earth; to share in the broils of 
none; to fulfill our own engagements; to supply the 
wants and be the carriers for them all; being thor- 
oughly convinced that it is our policy and interest to 
do so. " 

With all these questions coming before the people, 
it is easy to realize that there must have been many 
honest differences of opinion among them. Beginning of 
Some sided with Hamilton and the other political 
statesmen who were intent on building up P"*^®^ 
a strong central power. These called themselves 
Federalists. Those who opposed them followed the 
leadership of Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Dec- 
laration of Independence and now Secretary of State. 
Thus there began to be political parties in the United 
States, a condition that is very familiar to us of to-day, 



78 



THE UNITING OF THE STATES 



and which in many ways has been very fortunate. 
A government is sure to be better managed if there 
are strong political parties each closely watching the 
actions of the others. 

After much discussion, the term of the President of 
the United States had been fixed in the Constitution 
at four years. At the end of Washington's term, he 
was unanimously reelected. Four years later he re- 
fused to be considered for reelection. He retired once 
more to private life at his quiet home on the Potomac. 
Three years later he died, deeply mourned by the 
millions of his compatriots, who lovingly termed him 
the Father of his Country. 




Washington's tomb, at Mount Vernon 



Washington's retirement gave the two parties a 
chance to put forward candidates for the 
presidency. The Federalists nominated 
Vice-President Adams. The other nom- 
inee was JefTerson, the leader of the Democratic- 



Adams 

elected 



DIFFICULTY WITH FRANCE 79 

Republicans, as they soon came to be called. The 
Federalists were a little the stronger, and Adams 
became the second President. 

It was during Adams's presidency that the diffi- 
culty with France became acute. The government 
of France had been changed. It now 
consisted of a group of five men called the ^ ^-^ 7 
Directory, who managed things with a 
high hand. They claimed that they had been mis- 
treated by the United States government because it 
had refused to aid them in their war with England. 
They even demanded that the American commis- 
sioners in France should pay them a bribe of several 
thousand dollars. To frighten the United States 
into a settlement, French cruisers began to interfere 
with American commerce. Feeling in this country 
ran high. The popular cry echoed the defiant words 
of Pinckney, one of our commissioners to France: 
" Millions for defense; not one cent for tribute." 

At this time were written the stirring words of 
"Hail Columbia," addressed to the Revolutionary 
heroes, "Heav'n born band! Who fought and bled 
ill Freedom's cause," thus calling upon them: 

"Immortal patriots, rise once more! 
Defend your rights, defend your shore; 
Let no rude foe with impious hand 
Invade the shrine where sacred lies 
Of toil and blood tlie well-earned prize." * 

* Josepli H(jpkinson. 



8o TIIK INlllXl', OV TlIK STAPHS 

Throui^hout the rouiUr\ raiii; the thrilling words 
of this national song, set to the tune of the " President's 
March," music which had welcomed Washington on 
his triumphal inaugural it)urne\-. The nation set 
about buiUling warships, the beginning of the Amer- 
ican na\ \ . The b'rench, after a few skirmishes at sea. 
realizetl that the United States was in earnest, and 
gladly made peace. 

FOR CAREFUL STUDY 

In 1783 the United States started upon its career, 
acknowledged b>' all the world as an independent 
nation. There were man\' reasons why it should grow 
rapidh in suvngih. For one thing, it has an immense 
area and wonderful natural resources. Part of the 
land was set off and called the Northwest Territory. 
Its go\-ernment was pro\-ided for by the Ordinance of 

1787. Out of this territory there were formed, from 
time to time, the states: Ohio. Indiana. Illinois. 
Michigan, and Wisconsin. 

On the other hand, there were man\' dangers ahead 
and man\' problems to be solved if disaster was to be 
a\oided. The Articles of Confederation, tmder which 
the nation was go\erned, were \ery unsatisfactor\-. 
The people proceeded to adopt a Constitution to take 
their place. The Constitution went into effect in 

1788. and the following >-ear George Washington be- 
came the lirst President of the United States. 

During \\'ashington's administration the chief 
events were: taking the tirst census; locating the 



THE NEW GOXERN.MENT 



capital at Pliiladelphia for tcMi years and then at 
Washington; arranging to pay the national debt; 
passing the hrst tariff law; and keeping the country 
out of war with European nations. With the close of 
Washington's second term, political parties arose, 
and since that time Presidents have been elected only 
after party contests. 

The second President was John Adams, a Feder- 
alist. During his term the French were thwarted 
in their attempt to levy tribute on the United States. 




The Northwest Territory 

FACTS TO BE MEMORIZED 

The many weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, under 
which the Union had been governed, led to the adoption of the 
Constitution in 1788. 



82 THE UNITING OF THE STATES 

George Washington was inaugurated first President of the 
United States in 1789. 

Our national capitals have been New York, Philadelphia, 
Washington. 

Bibliography 

Adams. — Brooks: Historic Americans. 

Morris: Heroes of Progress in America. 

Roosevelt and Lodge: Hero Tales from American History. 

Sparks: Men who made the Nation. 
Hamilton. — Sparks: Men who made the Nation. 

Bolton: Famous American Statesmen. 

Brooks: Historic Americans. 

Burton: Four American Patriots. 

Hemstreet: Story of Manhattan. 

Morris: Heroes of Progress in America. 
General. — Foote and Skinner: Makers and Defenders of America 



With the flag of the Macedoaiaa thrown about him " 



CHAPTER V 
DEMOCRACY 

For twelve years the Federalist party, under 
Washington and Adams, had been in control of the 
government. During that time there had been a 
steady increase in the number of people who felt that 
the Federalists were wrong in their way of doing 
things. Many thought that our government was 
too extravagant and too aristocratic. They said 
that there was too much pomp and ceremony, as if the 
President thought of himself as a royal ruler. The 
people wanted their President to act as if he were 
one of the plain people, like themselves. 

When Adams's term drew to its close it was easy for 
Jefferson's party to overthrow the Federalists and 
elect their leader President. Thus, in 

1801, Thomas Jefferson became Presi- „ ^^5°°^' 
■^ President 

dent, the first to be chosen by the Demo- 
cratic-Republican party. This party remained in 
power for forty years. 

When Jefferson was inaugurated he introduced 

several new ideas and customs. Instead of riding to 

the Capitol in a handsome coach, he walked there 

from his boarding house like any ordinary citizen. 

83 



84 



DEIVIOCRACY 



Jefferson, like many other men of the time, was influ- 
enced by the manners and customs of the French. 



,.^iV,. 




\ -^^^ 




U k 



Monticello, Jefferson's home, in Virginia 

In the matter of dress, for example, the courtly knee- 
breeches and stockings were now replaced with long 
trousers. It is said that Jefferson even went so far 
as to receive the English minister, on an official visit, 
dressed in slippers and other negligee. This much 
disgusted the worthy Englishman, who regarded it as 
an insult to himself and his country. 

Whatever the new President's eccentricities, all 
the people knew that he was capable, and most of 
them were his enthusiastic admirers. During the 
eight years of his two terms he directed the govern- 
ment wisely and well. One event in particular stands 
out as the crowning result of his efforts and as one of 
the most important acts ever performed by any 
President. This was the purchase of the Louisiana 
Territory. 



THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE 85 

The close of the Revohition, we remember, found 
Spain in possession of the land west of the Mississippi 
River. This meant that as the American 
frontiersmen pushed their eaeer way west- 

^ to ^ purchase 

ward and located along the east bank of 
the river, they became near neighbors of Spanish sub- 
jects. There would have been little trouble, perhaps, 
if Spain had owned only one side of the river all the 
way to the Gulf of Mexico, and the United States had 
owned the other. But for the last hundred miles of 
the river's course, Spain owned the land on both sides. 
Her territory included the growing city of New 
Orleans, which js on the east bank. 

The result was that the Americans, when taking 
their produce to the sea on river rafts, soon found 
themselves in foreign territory. It was only by the 
favor of Spain that they could land and do business 
at New Orleans or go through to the Gulf of Mexico. 
When, in 1800, Spain ceded this whole Louisiana 
Territory to France, matters were made much worse, 
to the American way of thinking. France was a 
stronger power than Spain, and so might become far 
more dangerous as a neighbor. Soon the news came 
that Americans could no longer trade at New Orleans. 
Our western settlers were much worried. Jefferson, 
sympathizing with them, determined to help them, if 
possible. He sent agents to see if some bargain could 
not be struck with France whereby the United States 
might gain ihal hundred miles on the east of the river. 



86 DEMOCRACY 

Jefferson went to market at a ^'ery fortunate time. 
Napoleon Bonaparte, then the ruler of France, was 
engaged in a struggle with most of the nations of 
Europe. Compared with what he hoped to gain 
near home, far-off Louisiana was not worth much to 
him. Moreover, he was afraid that England, with 
her near-by Canadian colony, might easily wrest 
Louisiana from him if it remained in his hands. Most 
convincing of all, he needed all the money he could 
raise toward the expense of his wars. So, when this 
opportunity came, he offered the whole of the Louisi- 
ana Territory, vastly more than we had asked for, at 
a price that to-day seems ridiculously low. Jeffer- 
son promptly accepted the offer, and Congress voted 
him the money. Napoleon got his price, $15,000,000; 
and we got, at less than three cents an acre, a tract 
of land larger than all of the territory of the United 
States as it then existed. 

There were, however, some people who grumbled 
and objected. What did we want of so much land, 
hundreds of miles away, and probably good for noth- 
ing, anyway? But the majority of the people sided 
with Jefferson, Every one realizes now that in making 
the purchase he showed shrewd foresight and earned 
the gratitude of all future generations of Americans. 

In the year following, in order to learn more about 
the land we had acquired, an exploring party of some 
thirty men was sent out. One of the remarkable 
things about this expedition was the fact that its 



LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION 87 

two leaders, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, 
were in joint command, yet there is no record that they 
ever had a single disagreement through- Lg^jg ^nd 
out the two and a half years that they were Clark Expedi- 
gone. Starting from St. Louis in May, **°° 
1804, the party ascended the Missouri River, passing 
through a region never before traversed by white men. 
One tribe of Indians after another was met and 
conquered through friendship. The Indian chiefs 
were presented with gifts that delighted their fancy, 
and were told that they were now under the rule of 
Jefferson, the Great Father at Washington. When 
the headwaters of the Missouri were reached, the 
party procured horses from the Indians. With these 
they crossed the divide of the Rocky Mountains, and 
passed beyond the limits of the Louisiana Territory. 




Branding iron used by Lewis 



At length they came to a tributary of the great (\)lum- 
bia River. Traveling down the valley of this river, 
they reached the Pacific. 



88 DEMOCRACY 

The expedition strengthened a claim that the 
United States had already laid to this far-off region, 
which was known as the Oregon Country. The claim 
was based upon the discoveries of Captain Robert 
Gray, who was the first to carry the American flag 
around the world. Some years before. Captain Gray 
had sailed up the great river of the region and had 
given it the name of his ship, the Columbia. 

The homeward journey of Lewis and Clark was 
begun in March, 1806. That they were not extrav- 
agantly equipped is shown by Captain Lewis's 
account. "All the small merchandise we possess 
might be tied up in a couple of handkerchiefs. The 
rest of our stock in trade consists of six blue robes, 
one scarlet ditto, five robes which we made out of 
our large United States flag, a few old clothes trimmed 
with ribbons, and one artillerist's uniform coat and 
hat, which probably Captain Clark will never wear 
again. We have to depend entirely upon this meager 
outfit for the purchase of such horses and provisions 
as it will be in our power to obtain — a scant depend- 
ence, for such a journey as is before us." But these 
were brave and hardy men, and in due time the expedi- 
tion reached civilization once more. Their accounts 
of their experiences are of absorbing interest to all 
Americans. 

While we were thus learning about the geography 
of our new possessions, we were also teaching some 
foreign people a much needed lesson. The northwest- 



WAR \\IT{I TRIPOLI 



ern part of xAfrica, known as the Barbary States, was 
inhabited by tribes of desperate pirates. They were 
of the Mohammedan religion, and felt 
little respect for the rights of the Christian 



War with 
Tripoli 



nations whose traders sailed the Medi- 
terranean. They would capture European trading 
\essels, and hold the sailors prisoners until ransomed. 
Powerful governments of Europe had meekly sub- 
mitted to this treatment and 
paid heavy tribute to these 
highwaymen. It was not sur- 
prising that the weak and dis- 
tant United States should have 
been considered easy prey. 
More than a million dollars had 
been contributed by the go\- 
ernment and by the churches of 
our country and paid out in ran- 
soms for our enslaved sailors. 

We \vere already laying the 
foundations of a conquering 
navy, and such a display of force 
was made that the governor of 
Tripoli was glad to agree to let us and our ships alone. 
The treaty was signed in 1805, and within a few years 
safety to American citizens was assured throughout 
the Barbary States. But before this date we had 
been carrying on a war with Tripoli for several 
years. 




A Tripolitan pirate 



QO DEMOCRACY 

Many thrilling adventures are recorded in the his- 
tory of those days. One of them had to do with the 
Decatur cutting out of the cruiser Philadelphia. 

and the This was done under the leadership of 

Philadelphia Stephen Decatur. It was called by a 
great English naval commander "the most bold and 
daring act of the age." The Philadelphia was a 
38-gun frigate which had served the Americans well 






Naval cannon 

until, chasing a Tripolitan cruiser along the shore, she 
ran upon an uncharted reef. Despite all that her 
valiant crew could do, she lay helpless, was captured 
by the enemy's gunboats, and was drawn into the 
harbor of Tripoli. Here she was refitted and lay in 
the inner part of the harbor, protected by the 
menacing guns of the surrounding forts and the 
fleet. 

Desperate measures were planned for the destruction 
of the captured vessel. Decatur was detailed to carry 
them out. He took a party of some eighty men on 
board the Intrepid, a small boat fitted with sails and 
long sweeps, called in Mediterranean waters a ketch. 
On a bright, balmy moonlight night, before a fresh 



WAR WITH TRIPOLI 91 

breeze, he sailed the Intrepid directly into the jaws 
of the harbor and up to the Philadelphia, which lay 
at anchor, fully manned, with her guns shotted and 
ready for action. The very boldness of the venture 
deceived the enemy. Decatur kept his men under 
cover. Pretending that he was a peaceful trader, 
he succeeded in approaching close to the ship before 
the Tripolitans took alarm. But suddenly the cry 
arose, "Americanos! Americanos!" 

There was not a moment to be lost if the daring 
Americans would escape being blown to pieces by 
the heavy guns of the Philadelphia. They scrambled 
cjuickly aboard the frigate and rushed the startled 
crew. Not a gun was fired, but the deadly cutlass 
and sword did terrific service. In less than ten 
minutes the Tripolitans had been driven overboard 
by the Americans, who then proceeded to act under a 
well-ordered plan which had been made in advance. 
Each man reached his appointed place, carrying com- 
bustibles, and touched the torch to them. All over 
the ship the fiery spears darted upward, and soon 
the Philadelphia was a mass of lurid flame. 

For a few moments the Tripolitans ashore and in 
the harbor were stunned by the wonderful suddenness 
of the attack. Recovering, as Decatur and his men 
leaped into the Intrepid, they flooded the harbor 
with shot and shell. Through this cone of fire the 
hitrepid, with its men at the sweeps, worked its way 
toward the open sea. Behind it, in the lengthening 



92 DEMOCRACY 

distaiuw i^larod tho woird Ih\uii\- of the blazinii- frig- 
ate. As b\- a miracle, iho cow escaped without a sin- 
gle loss. Presently the Philadelphia's overheated guns 
belched their charge upon the \"er\" tmvn she had been 
captured to defend. I'inallx. with a wild roar and 
a flare of tlanie. she blew u\\ The frigate Philadel- 
phia was no more. 

Tripoli was not the i>nl\- foreign natiiM> that inter- 
fered with American commerce. l-\ir greater injuries 
came about in another wa\". Englantl 

American , ,- t^ i "^ 

and I- ranee were at war. hach was 
commerce 

attacking the commerce of the other. 
England captured man>- French trading ships. 
France ordered all the nations that were friendly to 
her. to close their ports to English trading ships. 
The I'liited States was gaining much of the trade 
that these two nations were losing. Our cotmtr\- was 
fc^Uowing the ad\ice Washington had gi\en >'ears 
before, and was taking no sides in the Em\>pean cc>n- 
trovers\-. It had declared itself neutral. Rut pres- 
entl>- England forbade American ships to trade with 
France. Xext, France said the>- should not trade 
with l\ngland. Each began to seize American ships 
that continued the forbitlden trade. 

This was bad enough, but England went still 
Impressment t'unher. Her expenses were SO lu\n>- that 
of American she was mu pa\ing her sailors as nuich 
seamen ^^^ j^j^^^, American sailors were getting. 

Life, too, was easier and happier on the AmericiUi 



IMPRKSSMKNT 



93 



ships. C'onscHiuiMiiU main I'.nj^lisli sailors soii^lit 
scrxicH' on ilu> \ cssels of (lu- Inid'cl Stales. l'\)r this 
reason I-aiglaiul l)ei;au to seareh (he Aineriean \-essels 
lor tleserters. She ehiimeil that hai^Hsh-honi sailors 
still belonged to her e\ en it' the\' had nio\ed to our 
eountr\- and had 1)c\mi naturalized. 
She would i\iptur(.> these and "im- 
press" lluMU into her ser\iee; that is, 
foree them to ser\ (.> in her na\ > . as 
she often inipressetl her own Vav^- 
lish sailors. We diMiied her right to 
seareh .\nieriean \essels. 

One da\ in 1807 a British warship, 
the Leopard, met the Ameriean CJics- 
apciikc, as the latter was preparing to 
enter New N'ork harbor. The I^ng- 
lish eonnnander ordered the .\mer- 
icdw t-ajitain to surrender all deserters, 
but he deelared there were none on board. W'here- 
ui)on the Lropard opened lire. The Clicsapcakc 
was unprepared for an\- sueh attack antl was forced 
to surrender, 

.\meriean indignation was l)oundless. It was with 
tlifheult)- that war was prexented at this time. Hut 
it was important that our country should axoid war 
if possible. It had littK^ money in (lu> treasury-, it 
had hardb- an\- na\ >•, and its strength as an indi^- 
pendent nation was still to be proxetl. Man>- thought 
that Cireat Britain was lot)king for a chance to whip 




American seaman in 
Jefferson's time 



94 DEMOCR.\CY 

the states back into submission. At any rate she and 
France were treating our country as if it were of no 
account. Both nations were swooping down upon 
American merchant ships and seizing them under 
pretext that they were bound for the enemy's ports. 
Thus carrying goods by sea was no longer safe. 

Some time before this, Jefferson had seen the danger 

of war. He had been very anxious to avoid it. He 

reahzed that the country was in no condi- 

e m argo ^.^^ ^^ fight. For this reason he had sug- 
gested what was known as the Embargo 
Act. This law forbade all American vessels to leave 
port. The idea was that if England and France 
would not let us trade peaceably with whom we 
wished, then we would stop trading entirely. But 
this plan hurt our country as much as it did England 
and France, the nations toward whom it was directed. 
The New Englanders particularly felt it. They went 
back to the old revolutionary practice of smuggling. 

Stricter laws were then passed to force the people 
to respect the federal government. Soon empty 
vessels with furled sails choked the New England 
harbors. The wharves were deserted, and on the 
streets loitered idle, rebellious sailors and merchants. 
Discontent grew, imtil there were rumors that some 
states would withdraw from the l^nion. In 1809 the 
Embargo Act was repealed, and the Non- Intercourse 
Act took its place. This act permitted trade with all 
countries except France and England. 



WAR DECLARED 95 

Botli those countries continued to seize our vessels 
in the most insulting fashion. Old friendship for 
France softened the feeling toward her. Equally, 
the old enmity toward England increased the Ameri- 
can sense of injustice. 

James Madison, who succeeded Jefferson as Presi- 
dent in 1809, was strongly opposed to war. His 
messages to Congress recommended peace 

. ° War declared 

and patience. There were, however, few 
Congressmen left who had personal memories of the 
Re\olution, and even the President's party, the Dem- 
ocratic-Republicans, favored war. They were led by 
two fiery Southerners, Clay and Calhoun, whose im- 
petuous fervor swept all before it. Not only would 
they make war upon England, l)ut they would in- 
vade Canada and annex it to the United States. 
Older men shook their heads in disapproval, but the 
younger men had their way. On June 18, 1812, war 
was declared. 

The beginning of the war was marked by both 
successes and failures. It was easy to talk of the 
glory of conquering Canada, but Canada 
was not to be conquered by talk. In q^^^^^ 
July General William Hull left Detroit 
and invaded Canada. Along the line of advance he 
heard all sorts of stories about a large army of Cana- 
dians and Indians that was bearing down upon him. 
This false alarm scared Hull back to Detroit, where 
the enemy overtook him and forced him to surrciider. 



96 



DEMOCFL\CY 



The possession of Detroit carried with it the control 
of the upper Great Lakes, and of a large part of the 
Northwest Territory. 

On sea, however, there was reason for encourage- 
ment. The American navy was small, but a few of 
The career i'^=^ ships were strong, seaworthy- craft, 
of the Among these was the Constitution. Its 

Constitution conmiander, Isaac Hull, was a seaman of 
ability. ]More than this, his men were remarkably 
well trained. It was said that if all the officers were 




The Coastitutioa 

to leave the ship, the crew could manage it and fight 
just as well. Their faith in the good ship Constitution 
amounted almost to superstition — they believed she 
could not be beaten. Howe^-er, in her first encounter 
with the English she ran away, but that was in order 
that she might "live to fight another day." 

This was how it happened. A fleet of English 
vessels overtook the Constitution on her wa\- to Xew 
York. One ship, no matter how sturdy, or how brave 
her crew, has little chance against se\'en. Captain 



rnK coxsrirrnoN 



97 



Hull saw ihis aiul clctenr.inocl to s;i\r his ship. Tho 
tlii^lit bcL;an with a great sweep oi .an\as, the EiigHsh 
ia full pursuit; but preseiuK' the wind died down. 
Ill those days tlu^ sievun eiii;iiu> was unknown in ocean 
na\igation, and ships were depcMuleiit upon their 
sails. But the American conniiander de\ ised a e!e\er 
\\ci\- of escape. 

landing the water (juite shallow, Hull lowered a 
small boat and in it placed a hea\y anchor, to 
which was attached a long cable. With the anchor 
the men rowetl forward, paying out the line. After 
the\ had gone half a mile they dropped the anchor. 
Then those on board the Constitiitiou wound up the 
cable, thus pulling their ship forward. Before she 
had ceased mo\'ing, a second anchor was ready, 
dropped, and woiuid uj) in its turn. After a while 
the wintl sprang up again. The race continued all 
da\- and all night, but by the following morning the 
British saw that the chase was useless and ga\"c it up. 
Hull made for Boston harbor. There he could con- 
tradict the story that had gone forth that he had 
surrendered. 

Within a nuMith Hull was near Newfoundland. 
Here he met one of the vessels of the fleet that hatl 
gi\en him chase. It was a well-built British frigate, 
onl\- a little less j^owerful than the Constitution. Its 
mainsail bore in large red letters 

" All who meet me have a care 
I am Englantl's Guerrihre.'' 



98 



DKMOCRACY 



When I he order was i;i\ I'll to prepare for action, Hull 
says of his erevv, " I'^roni the smallest boy to the oldest 
seaman, not a look of fear was seen." It was not 
until the vessels were within fifty yards of eeich other 
that the order to lire was L>iven. Blast after blast 
rent the air and made the bij; ships (iiiixer. On each 
the colors were shot down. On i>acli gallant hands 
sprang forward and nailed the flag to the mast. 
l"'ast and furious was the light in;<. The Giierriere, 
ho\\('\-er, was getting the worst of it. Se\'eral shots 
which siie had directed toward llu' body of the Con- 
stiliitioH bounded back into the water. "Her sides 
are like iron," her sailors cried. "Hurrah for Old 
Ironsides!" they shouted, and by this name the Con- 
stitittion came to be known. Presently the Guerriere 
was rendered hel|)less. Powerless to respond to the 
volleys from her foe, she surrendered. The glory of 




Medal comintMnoraling the Constitution's victory 



the N'ictory lay in the fairness of the light, and in the 
gallantry of the captains and crews of both shii)s. 



()'I'11I:K navai. victoriks 99 

The whole country was (illcd with joy over tin's, 
th(,' lirst great naval victory of the young nation. A 
medal was struck off in luMior of it, swords were given 
to the Constitution's oOiccrs, and prize money was 
awarded the crew. 

'i'hen followed a series of successes. One of them 

Ijronght US a famous prize. The United .Sidles, under 

the command of Decatur, the hero of 

,,. . ,, , ,, f , .f , ■ other naval 

I ripoli, met the r.nglish Macedonian near y■^^.^,^J■^^.. 
the .Madeira Islands. An hour of hani 
lighting followed. At the eiul the Mat.edoiiian haulerl 
down her flag. This was a \aluahle caj;ture, for the 
shij) was n(,'W. After some repairing, she fl(;ated the 
American flag fnjm her mast . The messenger I )ecalur 
s(,'nl to Washington with the news of viclr>ry was a 
young officer wluj had shown unusual l;rav(;ry during 
the struggle. Upon his arrival th(? youth found that 
nearly all the imjjorlant j)(;rsons had gone to a hall. 
Thitli( r he loo went, and entered the hallroom with 
the flag of the Macedonian thnnvn al>out him. Almost 
instantly the j)eople recognized its nK.-aning. Th(; 
men vvc-nt wild with joy. They lifted the messenger 
upon their hlimilflers and hore him about the rrjom, 
( heering as they went. At the close- <>{ the war th(; 
Macedonian was sent to Anna|)oIis, where she h(,'Ip(,'d 
to fire the enthusiasm of America's young sailors. 

The British felt this and their other defeats very 
k(HrnIy. The London Times voicerl their alarm in 
th(; following language: "('pwarrl of fiv(; hundred 



TOO DEMOCRACY 

British vessels captured in seven months by the 
Americans. Five hundred merchantmen and three 
frigates! Can these statements be true? And can 
the EngHsh people hear them unmoved? Any one 
who would have predicted such a result of an American 
war this time last year would have been treated as a 
madman or a traitor. He would have been told, if 
his opponents had condescended to argue with him, 
that long ere seven months had elapsed the American 
flag would have been swept from the seas, the con- 
temptible navy of the United States annihilated, and 
their marine arsenals reduced to a heap of ruins. 
Yet down to this moment not a single American 
frigate has struck her flag." 

The English navy far exceeded ours in strength and 
number of vessels, but most of it was busy in the 

war with France, which was going on at 
Naval defeats • r^ , , . 

the same tmie. Our successes had m- 

spired hope in the hearts of the people. But defeat 

followed fast in the wake of victory. The turn in 

the tide began with the disaster to the Chesapeake. 

Under command of Captain Lawrence she encountered 

the English Shannon outside of Boston harbor. The 

enemy worked terrible destruction in a short time. 

Three men were shot down from the wheel. The 

first lieutenant was mortally wounded. Lawrence, 

in his brilliant uniform, made a sure target. Twice 

was he shot. As he was dying, he cried out, "Tell 

the men to fight faster. Don't give up the ship." 



NAVAL DEFEATS lOl 

The remaining officers fougiit gallantly, but without 
avail. The Chesapeake was forced to surrender. 

Lawrence was given a naval funeral. He was 
wrapped in the flag of the Chesapeake, and his sword 
was placed on the coffin. In attendance were Ameri- 
can and British officers alike, together with many 
wounded from the crews of both ships. His body 
'rests in Trinity Churchyard, New York. 

The hope of the Americans was badly shattered. 
Before the close of the year 1813, the British had sent 
over \'essels enough to drive our navy from the sea 
and to blockade practically our entire seacoast. The 
United States was a long way from victory. The 
most pressing need was to regain control of the Great 
Lakes, so that the Northwest Territory might be 
saved. A brilliant young officer by the name of Perry 
had been given this task. He and his men had been 
hard at work in the forests on the shores of Lake 
Erie, for they had to build their own ships. 

In September, 18 13, Perry's fleet met a British 
squadron on Lake Erie. There followed one of the 
hardest, sharpest naval fights in our 
history. Perry's flagship was the Law- 
rence, named in memory of the commander 
of the Chesapeake. On its blue flag gleamed in white 
letters the words which have since become the motto 
of our navy — "Don't give up the ship!" The 
Laivrence pushed ahead of the other six vessels of the 
fleet and i)rescntly was in the full fury of battle. 



DEMOCRACY 




Her men were shot down, two, three at a time. Only 

when there were not enough left to fire the guns, 

and his flagship was nearly shattered, did Perry seem 

to realize that there was no 

hope of saving the Lawrence. 

The blue flag with its gallant 
motto still fluttered aloft. Perry 
seized it, left his lieutenant in' 
command of the Lawrence, and 
descended into a waiting boat. 
Standing erect in the stern, with 
the emblem fluttering about 
him, he was exposed to the 
direct fire of the enemy. With 
anxious hearts the Americans watched him 
as he covered the quarter of a mile to the 
Niagara, the next largest ship of his 
fleet. As soon as the English realized 
what Perry was trying to do, they turned 
Perry^rrthe their guus upou him. Volley after 
E?k^ °* ^^^^ volley came shrieking across the waters. 
A shot pierced the side of the boat. 
Perry ripped off his coat and plugged the hole with 
it. Finally the Niagara was reached. With the blue 
flag flying from her mast top, she plunged forward 
into the heat of the battle. The other American 
ships rallied gallantly about her. In ten minutes 
a British sailor appeared, waving a white handker- 
chief tied to a splinter. 



THE BURNING OF WASHINGTON 103 

For the first lime in England's long, proud history 
an entire British squadron had surrendered. "We 
have met the enemy and they are ours, " 

^t • 1 c ' ^ ^ \ Battle of 

was the srniple message of ^•lctory sent by 

Perry to General Harrison. Harrison 

was in charge of the land forces near by. He was now 

able to regain Detroit, and defeat the British at the 

Thames Ri\er. The Northwest Territory was saved. 

In 1 814 England's war with France ceased. Thus 
freed, she put new energy into the war with America. 
She planned a threefold attack : from the north ; from 
the middle coast; and from the south by way of the 
Mississippi. The first campaign started from Canada 
to invade Xew York by the Lake Champlain route. 
Captain Macdonough met the fleet on Lake Champ- 
lain and defeated it. Whereupon the British army 
deemed it unwise to proceed further. Thus the first 
plan failed. 

The operations on the eastern seaboard were 
attended with greater success. English ships sailed 
up Chesapeake Bay and unloaded an 



arm>% which marched directly toward the 



The burning 



of Washington 

capital. As it bore down upon Wash- 
ington, householders gathered their treasures together 
and fled from the city. 

In the White House the President's wife, the popu- 
lar "Dolly Madison," was reluctant to leave. Not 
until the last moment of safety did she depart, after 
filling her carriage with as many valuables as it would 



I04 DEMOCRACY 

hold. Among these was a portrait of George Wash- 
ington — the destroying hand of the enemy should 
not touch that! 

The conquering troops laid low our capital city. 
They plundered and set fire to public buildings, — 
the treasury, the Capitol, the White House. Then 
they marched tov.^ard Baltimore. Fort McHenry 
defended that city against the attacks of a British 
fleet. The battle began in daylight and raged through 
the night. It is a battle that lives in the hearts of 
Americans because one of their best-loved hymns was 
written at this time. 

In a small boat moored to the British flagship, two 
Americans were held prisoners. As long as the day- 
The " Star light lasted they could see the Stars and 
Spangled Stripes waving above the fort. But with 

Banner " ^j^^ darkness came an agony of suspense. 

Which side was winning? Through the long hours 
they waited for the first gray streak of dawn. As the 
light gradually brightened they strained their eyes 
and then — there was Old Glory waving in the breeze! 
Baltimore was still safe. One of these prisoners was 
Francis Scott Key. On the back of an old letter he 
wrote the verses beginning, "Oh, say, can you see 
by the dawn's early light." When released, so the 
story goes, he gave the poem to his uncle, who 
ordered a printer to strike ofl^ copies. The printer 
evidently liked it, for before the ink was yet dry he 
rushed to a near-by restaurant frequented by patriotic 




THE "STAR SP.\NGLED BANNER" lOg 

Americans, l)urst ia upon them, and read aloud the 
thrilling first stanza. "Sing it," some one cried. 
The words were immediately fitted to a popular air, 

Part of the " Star Spangled Banner " in Key's writing 

and the "Star Spangled Banner" went ringing 
throughout the country. 

Vox the third part of their plan, the English gathered 
forces amounting to full twelve thousand. New 
Orleans was to be the scene of action. 
To its defense the President sent Andrew ^^ ^ . 

New Orleans 

Jackson, a man of great vigor. Under 
him were untrained militiamen, in numbers only half 
as many as the English soldiers, but each of the mettle 
that fights to the finish. It was in December, 1814, 
that the British landed. Jackson threw up intrench- 
ments south of the city. On January 8, 1815, the 
English made an attack, and Jackson forced them 
back, not once but twice. The Americans, behind 
their rude breastworks, and with a small amount of 
ammunition at their command, mowed down twenty- 
five hundred brave British who fouglit for their lion 
as the Americans fought for their eagle. It was a 
great victory, but it was needless. A treaty of peace 
had been signed on December 24, 18 14. There were 



io6 DEMOCRACY 

In those days, however, no five-day steamers to carry 
the news, or ocean cables to flash the message. 

Curiously, the treaty made no mention of the chief 
causes of the war, — the searching of American v^essels 
and the interference with American com- 
merce. It was not needed, however, for 
the war had won for the United States so hearty a re- 
spect from other nations that no such indignities would 
be practiced again. Other advantages were gained. 
For one thing, we had learned how able our seamen 
were and how nmch we could depend on our navy in 
case of trouble. Cut off by the war from ib.e manu- 
factured goods of England, the Americans had them- 
selves begun new kinds of manufacture. In this way 
many of our gigantic Industries had their beginning. 
The less we needed to purchase goods abroad, the 
more real was our independence of Europe. 

FOR CAREFUL STUDY 

The third President was Thomas Jefferson, the 
leader of the Democratic-Republican party, who 
served two terms. Under his leadership the Loui- 
siana Territory was purchased, and Lewis and Clark 
were sent to explore the new country. The United 
States waged a war with Tripoli, which resulted in 
making that country agree to let American ships 
alone. 

Jefferson was succeeded by James Madison, who 
also served two terms. During this time our Second 
War with England was waged. It arose from Eng- 



SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND 



[07 



land's interference with our commerce, and from her 
impressment of American seamen into her navy. War 
was declared in 1812, and opened by an unsuccessful 
attempt to invade and conquer Canada. This was 
followed by the defeat of the American army in the 
Northwest. 

But on the seas the Americans gained many stirring 
victories. The Constitution defeated the Guerriere, 
and earned for herself the title of Old Ironsides. The 
United States captured the Macedonian. There were 
many other successes, and also many defeats, begin- 
ning with the capture of the Chesapeake by the 
Shannon. 




The Louisiana Purchase 



In the Northwest the situation was saved in 1813 by 
Commodore Perry, whose fleet met the British squad- 
ron on Lake PZrie and completely defeated it, and by 



io8 DEMOCRACY 

General Harrison, who won the battle of the Thames. 
The British, during their campaign in the middle states, 
sacked Washington, but were repulsed at Baltimore. 
At the south, early in 1815, a British army was 
overwhelmingly defeated at New Orleans, by the 
Americans under General Jackson. 

The treaty of peace did not mention the chief cause 
of the war, but this was not necessary. England 
never again attempted to search our vessels or inter- 
fere with our commerce. 

FACTS TO BE MEMORIZED 

The Louisiana Territory was purchased from France in 1803, 
and afterwards explored by Lewis and Clark. 

The Second War with England, 1812-1815, secured inde- 
pendence for American commerce and gained the respect of 
European nations for the United States. 

Bibliography 

Decatur. — Sea well: Decatur and Somers. 
Jefferson. — Burton: Four American Patriots. 

Ellis: Thomas Jefferson. 

Sparks: Men who made the Nation. 
Perry. ■ — Barnes: Hero of Erie. 
General. — Barnes: Yankee Ships and Yankee Sailors. 

Eggleston: Captain Sam. 

Hitchcock: Louisiana Purchase. 

Sea well: Twelve Naval Captains. 

Tomlinson: Boy Officers of 1812. 

Tomlinson: Boy Soldiers of 1812. 




The strange craft created much astonishment ' 



CHAPTER VI 

PROGRESS AND INVENTION 

By the close of the War of 1812 the FederaHst party 
was fast disappearing. In 181 7 Madison was suc- 
ceeded by another Democratic-Repubh- 

can, Tames Monroe. When his first term 

' -' ^ ^ prosperity 

expired, the FederaHsts nominated no one, 
so that Monroe's reelection was almost unanimous. 
Because at this time there were no political parties 
opposing each other, the period is often spoken of as 
the Era of Good Feeling. 

It was a time of general prosperity. Relieved of 
the strain of warfare, the people were free to give their 
attention to other things. Great advances were made 
in industry. Marvelous inventions followed one an- 
other with rapidity. Even before the outbreak of the 
war startling changes had taken place. The chief 
of these was due to an American inventor. Robert 
Fulton had built a large boat that would go without 
sails! 

Fulton, when a young man. studied in Europe. 
There he learned of the steam engine, the invention 
of a Scotchman, James Watt. Fulton tried to 
make use of the steam engine in the construction 

loy 



no PROGRESS AND INVENTION 

of a torpedo boat. Abandoning this work for a time, 

he planned to build a steamboat. People called 

the idea a dream and laughed at the 

Fulton and , y, , t i 

the Clermont dreamer. It seemed as if they were 

right, for the first attempt to make 

the steamboat go was a failure. Napoleon, the Em-' 

peror of France, realizing how useful a successful 

steamboat would be, ordered another test. The night 

before the new trial was to take place the little boat 

sank, borne down by the weight of its machinery. 

Fulton was bitterly disappointed. 

The inventor determined to make the next attempt 
in his own country. Accordingly, he built the Cler- 
mont, which was promptly nicknamed Fulton's Folly. 
Her trial trip, up the Hudson, was made in August, 
1807. Crowds stood on the river bank ready to jeer 
at the inventor, but the Clermont, despite a strong 
head wind, made the trip from New York to Albany 
in thirty-two hours. Then the crowds cheered in 
wonder and admiration, for sailing vessels took four 
days to cover the same distance. 

The strange craft created much astonishment and 
some alarm. Because of its huge side wheels, many 
thought it was a mill. One old countryman fled from 
the sight of it and confided to his wife that he had seen 
"the devil on his way to Albany in a sawmill." How- 
ever, steamboats on the Hudson were soon making 
regular trips, and were used by many people because 
of the time saved. The fare was high — fourteen 



THE ERIE CANAL lit 

dollars — and the accomnuxlations poor. There were 
no staterooms or beds. Each passenger brought his 
own bedding and slept on the floor in a space marked 
off for his use. 

Not alone the Hudson, but presently all the large 
rivers were floating the new wonder on their waters. 
The Mississippi was one of the rivers that 
made great gains in commerce through 
the use of the steamboat. Soon the 
people of the East began to fear that all the trade 
between Europe and the West would go by way of 
this river. Governor Clinton, of New York, urged 
the building of a canal across his state. It was to 
follow the route that had been used by the Inc^ians 
and early settlers when they journeyed westward 
through the Mohawk valley. From near Albany, on 
the Hudson, it was to extend to Bufi"alo, on Lake Erie. 
It would thus, by the shortest route possible, connect 
the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes and the 
productive region around them. 

The canal plan, like that of the steamboat, met with 
derision. One of the arguments against it was that 
Lake Erie is nearly six hundred feet above the level 
of the Hudson. How, the people asked, can water 
be made to run uphill? This criticism was easily 
met: locks would be used to make the water lift 
the canal boats over the hills. New York state 
appealed to Congress for money with which to 
build the canal. Although refused, the New York- 



112 PROGRESS AND IN\'ENTION 

ers kept up their efforts so vigorously that they 
earned for themselves the title of the "most per- 
sistent beggars in Congress." 

People called the proposed canal Clinton's Big 
Ditch. They hesitated to put the state's money 
into the digging of a ditch nearly four hundred miles 
long, forty feet wide, and four feet deep. Finally, 
business men, under the leadership of Governor 
Clinton, undertook the task of putting through the 
work. They managed to convince the New York 
legislature that it would be to the benefit of the state 
to vote funds for this purpose. The money was 
secured and in 1817 the work was begun. In 1825 




*?**^**i% 



Towing a canal 



Governor Clinton had the pleasure of making the first 
trip through the completed canal. The fare from 
Buffalo to Albany was soon reduced to less than a 



THE WESTWARD MOVEMENT 113 

quarter of what it had been. Towns sprang up along 
the banks of the canal, like mushrooms in the night. 

The western states, too, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, 
profited by the Erie Canal. Now they could buy their 
axes, plows, and other utensils much more cheaply 
than heretofore. Probably the city that profited 
most of all from the canal was New York, for it was 
to this port that much of the produce from the West 
found its way. So, to the slowly moving canal boat, 
pulled by a sleepy-stepping donkey, the city of New 
York owes in part its giantlike growth. 

The Erie Canal opened up for settlement the west- 
ern part of New York state and the region of the 
Great Lakes. As far back as 1790 the 
people of the states along the seaboard 
had begun to move westward. Those 
from New England followed the Mohawk valley. 
Those from Pennsylvania and Virginia migrated into 
what is now West Virginia and Kentucky. Those 
from southern Virginia and northern North Carolina 
journeyed in a steady stream over the Blue Ridge 
Mountains into the Tennessee valley. 

These pioneers found their way beset by difficulty 
and danger. Of those whose paths led through the 
wilderness, many traveled afoot. Others went on 
horseback or by wagon. Flatboats dotted the rivers, 
carrying \yhole families with all their worldly goods. 
The woods rang with the crash of falling timber as the 
settler made a clearing for his rude log cabin. As of 



114 PROGRESS AND INVENTION 

old, the Indian, to keep his hunting ground, fought the 
white man, step by step; and as of old, the white man 
won. 

The farther west the people pushed, the greater 
their need of connection with the East. They wanted 
the clothing and farming tools which were made in the 
East. These they paid for with the rich products of 
the soil or with the furs from the animals of the 
mountain regions. To meet the demand for better 
means of transportation, the government built a road 
called the National Pike or the Cumberland Road. It 
went from Cumberland, Maryland, on the Potomac, 
to Wheeling, West Virginia, on the Ohio. Yet more 
than this was needed. 

The relief which came at last was due to the inven- 
tion of an Englishman, George Stephenson. It was 

he who gave to the world the first locomo- 
Early railroads . . 

tive. Small engmes, run on short roads 

of wooden tracks, had been in use in mines; but 
Stephenson's engine was far larger than these and 
very imposing to the people of his time. The com- 
mon means of travel was the stagecoach, and the 
prospect of going more rapidly was startling. An 
English magazine writer said most earnestly, "We 
trust that Parliament will, in all railways it may 
sanction, limit the speed to eight or nine miles an 
hour, which is as great as can be ventured on with 
safety." Stephenson's own prophecy that "the time 
is coming when it will be cheaper for a working man 



EARLY RAILROADS 115 

to tra\el on a railway than to walk on foot," seemed 
very foolish. 

The earliest American railroad was the Baltimore 
and Ohio. The first stretch of road ran from Balti- 
more fourteen miles westward to Ellicott Mills. When 
ground was broken for its construction, the first 
shovelful was turned by a very old man, Charles 
Carroll of Carrollton, Maryland, the only signer of 
the Declaration of Independence then fixing. With 
silver spade in hand he said, "I consider this one of 
the most important acts of my life, second only to that 
of signing the Declaration of Independence, if second 
even to that." For a short time the cars on this road 
were pulled by horses, but these were soon replaced by 
locomotives. The first locomotixe was built by Peter 
Cooper. On its trial trip a thoroughbred horse raced 
with it. The locomotive came very near winning and 
would ha\'e won but for a slight accident. Its success 
greatly astonished the good people of the day. 

Several other lines were started about the same 
time as the Baltimore road. At first wooden tracks 
were used and there were no regular railroad com- 
panies. Any one might use the rails on which to run 
his own car or engine. The first railroad trains had 
no cab for the engineer or fireman and no brake with 
which to stop the train quickly. The cars were little 
more than stagecoaches on rails. The passengers 
were fully exposed to the wind and the weather, smoke, 
cinders, and flying dirt. On the hills the train was 



ii6 



PROr.RHSS AND 1N\KNTI0N 



piillod III) '^>' iii<^'i^ns of strong ropos aiul a stationary 
engine. Before crossing a bridge the smokestack had 
to be lowered, because the bridges of those days were 
co\ered with low roofs. In conseiiuence, hea\'\' 
clouds of smoke lighted by burning cintlers sj^read 
over the clucking passengers so that the\- hid their 
faces and gasped for air. But all these discomforts 
seemed trifling compared with the results gained. 

The locomotive opened u}) this great country with 
its wonderful resources. The cities were brought 
closer together. The time soon came when it was 
pi)ssible to go frt>m New York to Philadeli)hia in a 



I CHT^J 'J.2I~"Ii"I2I33r 







A railroad train in 1831 

half day instead of a week. Within ti\e \ears. more 
than twenty railroads had been started in the I'nited 
States. A steady increase followetl. and from 1850 
to 1 800 each >var saw as much road built as would 
reach from New York to Den\'er. 

The early locomotives burned wood, but had they 
continued to be dependent upon wood for fuel, it is 
doubtful if we shoiikl now ha\e our great 



Coal found in 
Pennsylvania 



system o( railroads. The problem o( fur- 
nishing fuel for the steam monsters was 
sohed b}' the discovery of immense deposits of coal. 



COAL FOUND IN PENNSYLVANIA 117 

An odd story is lold in this connection. Two Penn- 
sylvania Indians in much alarm related to a (Jiiaker 
friend their experience of the prexious evening. They 
told him that they had built a hre under a ri\er hank. 
To proj) uj) tiieir kettle they had used some black 
rocks. Presentl}' they were startletl to see the rocks 
catch hre and burn l)ri<;htly, sending up clouds of 
filthy black smoke. They were dreadfully frightened, 
for the\' fearcxl an e\ II spirit was at work. So they 
vseized the kettle, poured the water over the hre, and 
fled. The Quaker quieted the fears of the Indians, 
telling them that their black rocks were coal. He 
investigated the region, and found it rich in this 
valuable mineral. Later, anthracite, which is hard 
coal, was discovered. Since that time large quantitii's 
of coal have been taken from Pennsylvania as well as 
from many other regions of the I'nited States. 

The railroad was not the only influence that was 
bringing the people closer together. The printing 
press w^as doing its share. Daily new^spapers were 
being issued in Boston, Baltimore, and New \'ork. 
By 1840, also, the great American e.xprcss business 
had been started. It was begun in a simi)le way. A 
young man carried parcels in a small handbag between 
Boston and N<j\v York. At first he had no more to 
do than he could attend to alone, but in a short time 
he had so many orders that he had to hire an assistant. 
Think of the great army of men now in the express 
business ! 



Ii8 PROGRESS AND INVENTION 

Presently another advance in the means of com- 
munication was made by an American inventor, 

Samuel F. B. Morse. He said that he 
Morse and the , , , i ^ • -^ 

. . could make electricity carry messages 

over long distances. But he found it 
hard to convince people that he could do so unheard-of 
a thing. In his devotion to the study of his inven- 
tion, Professor Morse suffered all sorts of hardships. 
It is said that his funds once became so low that he 
had no food for twenty-four hours. Finally, in 1844, 
he persuaded Congress to give him the money to build 
a line from Washington to Baltimore. It was soon 
completed, and the world marveled at its success. 
The dots and dashes of the first message, traveling 



A- — 


H 


0- - 


U- 


B 


I - 


P 


V- 


C-- - 


J 


Q 


w 


D 


K 


R- -- 


X 


E- 


L — 


S--- 


Y 


F 


M 


T — 


z- 


G 


N 







The Morse telegraph alphabet 

the forty miles in an instant, spelled out the words: 

"What hath God wrought! " 

These were a few of the striking changes that had 

taken place in the early nineteenth century, and in 
all directions rapid progress was being 
made. For instance, before 1825, grain 
was threshed by beating it with a heavy 

stick attached to the end of a leather strap, or by 



NEW TN\ENTIONS 119 

ha\'ing cattle tramp on it. Then came the threshing 
machine. With it and the reaper, invented a Httle 
later, the farmer's work was made much easier. By 
this time, too, he had added to his tools, American- 
made axes, hatchets, and chisels. A further addition 
was that useful friend of boy or man, the pocket knife. 

In the earlier days, after cutting down a tree, the 
settler sawed and finished it into boards as best he 
could. But the old ways were being abandoned. 
Now the big tree trunks were fed to machines that 
sawed them into boards of the desired size. There 
were, too, other machines that planed boards into 
polished smoothness. 

The housewife, as well as her husband, profited by 
the progress. Formerly she had to bank the fire over 
night. Even if she did this very, very carefully, it 
sometimes went out. Then perhaps she would have 
to awaken a drowsy small boy in the cold early morn- 
ing and send him in haste to her nearest neighbor to 
borrow a shovelful of hot coals with which to start 
the fire again. A new invention, the sulphur match, 
made this no longer necessary. Indeed, it may be 
that she boasted that in her household the open fire 
was seldom used, the stove having taken its place. 

As early as 1800, in the homes of the prosperous, 
carpets, woven in America, covered the floor of at 
least one room. Even if the other rooms were bare, 
the labor of keeping them clean was made much 
lighter by the introduction of brooms manufactured 



PROGRESS AND INVENTION 




from the broom plant. Compared with these, the 
earher brooms, made of brush, were very rude imple- 
ments. The new ones 
were much lighter and 
more pliable. 

In many a farmhouse 
the spinning wheel was be- 
coming idle. The farm- 
er's wife soon found that 
she could save time and 
money by buying her 
fabrics in the city. More- 

A spinning wheel 

over, there she could 
make her selection from the large variety put forth 
daily by the busy mills. So, even though the journey 
was still somewhat 
uncomfortable, she 
was willing to 
make it. 

And the shoe- 
maker! No longer 
did he travel from 
home to home. 
Time was when 
Crispin, as the 
children called him, 
was a welcome vis- 
itor in the household. He was generally a jolly fellow 
who traveled over the same country, season after sea- 




Spinning cotton in a mill 



MACHINERY AND MANUFACTURING I2i 

son. At the farmer's door he would inquire into the 
condition of the shoes of the various members of the 
family. Nearly always there was work to do — but 
first the bargain had to be made. Sometimes the 
farmer provided his own leather. Often Crispin ac- 
cepted board and lodging as part of his pay. His 
fund of stories never gave out, nor was he ever weary 
of telling them. But, alas! the Crispin shoes went 
out of style. Far handsomer ones could be pur- 
chased from the factories. So, before long, the travel- 
ing shoemaker was no more. 

Mrs. New York had become quite particular about 
the style and quality of her wardrobe. Once the 
number of her gowns was limited. Now she must have 
a different kind for each and every occasion. She 
began to keep one eye upon Mrs. Philadelphia lest 
the latter lady outstep her in the latest fashions. 

All these changes necessarily brought about great 
changes in the manner of living. When the farmer 
purchased one of the new machines he 

,. . , J. , . . ^, , Machinery and 

dismissed from his service the men whose , / . 

manufacturing 

work the machine did more rapidly. 
These men had to go elsewhere for work, and they 
found it in the great growing cities. People of moder- 
ate wealth also sought the cities so that they might 
invest their money in new lines of business. 

The manufacturer was not content to use the labor- 
saving machines for just his own needs. He was on 
the alert to put them to greater use. The larger the 



PROGRESS AND INVENTION 




Fort Dearborn, on the site of Chicago 



machines, or the greater their number, the greater the 
amount of work that can be turned out, — and that 

of course means 
greater profits. 
— And when he can, 

the manufacturer 
turns his profits 
into more ma- 
chinery and em- 
ploys more men. 
From such begin- 
nings has grown 
the modern factory with its vast army of workers. 

To the factories and to the canals and railroads 
our large cities owe much of their rapid growth. 
Chicago is a remarkable ex- 
ample. In 1830 it was but a 
small village, protected by a 
fort, called Fort Dearborn. In 
1837 its inhabitants numbered 
4170; to-day they exceed two 
million. 

While this progress in indus- 
tries and inventions was go- 
ing forward, other 
interesting changes 
were taking place. 
For one thing, the United States added to its territory. 
The farsighted JefTerson had secured for the growing 



Florida 
Purchase 




A street in Chicago at present 



THE FLORIDA PURCHASE 123 

nation the vast Louisiana Territory. In 1819 another 
land purchase was made: Florida was bought from 
Spain for $5,000,000. Contrasted with Louisiana, 
Florida seemed a small return for the money spent — 
but it was well worth the price. It extended our 
Atlantic seaboard southward to the Gulf of Mexico, 
and, besides, there was another good reason for want- 
ing it. 

Florida was the home of the Seminole Indians, 
fierce and barbarous red men. Since they owned no 
golden treasure or mines of rich ore, Spain let them do 
about as they chose. In consequence, the people of 
Georgia and Alabama lived in constant terror of the 
deadly raiding parties that bore down upon them from 
Florida. When pursued, the marauders retreated 
across the border line. Here they were safe, for the 
United States soldiers had no right to follow them into 
the territory of another country. For this reason, too, 
criminals sought to escape to Florida, where the law 
could not punish them. Often they joined the Indian 
parties and urged them to horrible crimes. 

There was one man, however, who dared to put all 
law aside and to enter the troublesome territory. This 
was General Jackson, a hero of the War of 1812. At 
that time the Creeks of Georgia and Alabama had 
joined forces with the English. Jackson had grown 
to hate them. During the progress of the war, 
when the opportunity came, he punished them so 
severely that they were forced to beat a hasty 



124 PROGRESS AND INVENTION 

retreat into Florida. Later they united with the 
Seminoles. 

Because of his physical strength and dauntless 
courage, Jackson's soldiers affectionately called him 
Old Hickory. When he was sent to protect the 
frontier after the war, he marched boldly into the 
Spanish territory. For three months Old Hickory 
was a name to be feared. Nor did Jackson cease 
operations until the country was thoroughly subdued. 
Spain resented his bold, high-handed action. It 
looked for a while as if the United States might be led 
into war with her. But all this trouble was settled 
by the purchase of Florida. 

Other events, too, were happening in the political 

world. In 1823 the United States made clear its 

attitude toward foreign nations. Presi- 

^ , . dent Monroe proclaimed to European 

Doctrine _ ^ / 

countries how we should treat any inter- 
ference by them in America. It happened in this way. 
The monarchs of Europe feared the spirit of inde- 
pendence which the American colonists had shown. 
This spirit was growing elsewhere, and might lead 
their people to rise up against them. To prevent 
such a happening several of these monarchs formed 
an alliance, by which each promised to help the 
others subdue rebellious subjects. Spain was asking 
for help to reconquer her South American colonies 
which had set themselves up as independent nations. 
It seemed, moreover, to those who were looking 



THE MOxNROE DOCTRINE 



125 



on, that Russia meant to increase her territory in 
America. She already owned Alaska, then called 
Russian America. ' So, in a message to Congress, 
President Monroe stated plainly our feelings in both 
matters. He said that we should take sides with no 
European country when it was at war. On the other 
hand, if a European power attempted to conquer 
territory or to plant new colonies in the Western 
World we should regard it as "an unfriendly act." 
This message practically said to the countries of 
Europe: "Keep out of America." Although it has 
never been put into a law, the American people have 

ever since sup- 
ported this dec- 
laration, known 
as the Monroe 
Doctrine. 

An important 
change took place, 
also, Jackson and 
in the the Spoils 
w a y System 

the Presidents 
regarded office- 
holders. Monroe 
was succeeded by John Quincy Adams, and he in turn 
by Jackson, the hero of New Orleans and Florida. 
Jackson claimed that it was not fair that those who 
had been appointed to government positions by former 




The home of President Jackson, in Tennessee 



126 PROGRESS AND INVENTION 

Presidents should continue to hold office. He said that 
others ought to have a chance. In consequence, he 
turned out at least two thousand men and filled their 
places with his own political friends. This made posi- 
tions look like rewards for belonging to the victorious 
side. As some one put it, "To the victors belong the 
spoils." Hence, the practice is generally spoken of as 
the Spoils System. It was followed for a long time 
afterward and resulted in much harm to the country. 
The Presidents from Jefferson to Jackson were all 
Democratic-Republicans. From this time on, the 

party was known as the Democratic 
A new party t t i t\ /r • i t t-. 

party. Under Martm Van Buren it 

held the presidency for yet another term. But 
after thus continuing in power for forty years, the 
Democrats met defeat. The new Whig party put 
forth as their presidential candidate, General Harrison, 
another hero of the War of 1812; for Vice President, 
they named John Tyler. It was at Tippecanoe that 
Harrison, just before the opening of the war, had 
defeated the Indians. So now to the song of "Tippe- 
canoe and Tyler too" the Whigs marched to victory, 
and the power of the Democrats was broken. But 
the joy of the victorious party was soon turned to 
mourning. Harrison had been in office only a month 
when he died. For the first time in our history the 
Vice President was called upon to succeed his chief, 
and Tyler became President. The Democrats came 
back to power under the next President, General Polk. 



THE ORE(;ON COUNTRY 127 

It was during this period that two questions of 
disputed territory were settled. One of these con- 
cerned the far northwest. Out beyond 

the Louisiana Purchase was a tract of ^ ^ ^ ^^^^^ 

Country 

land known as "the Oregon Country." 
There English and American traders had settled, so 
both countries claimed the territory, England claimed 
as far south as 42° north latitude, while the United 
States claimed as far north as 54° 40'. Some enthu- 
siastic Americans raised the cry, "Fifty-four forty or 
fight!" and for a short time war threatened. Fortu- 
nately the matter was settled by compromise. In 
1846 the Oregon Country was divided, and the 49th 
parallel was fixed as the boundary line between the 
two nations. 

The second dispute was not so peaceably settled. 
The story dates back as far as 182 1. In that year, 
after three centuries of Spanish rule, Mexico suc- 
ceeded in winning her independence. But the Mexi- 
cans were not ready for republican government. The 
greater part of them were half-breeds — half Indian 
and half Spanish. The remainder were either native 
Indians or pure Spanish. Having thrown off the 
yoke of Spain, they were yet unable to agree among 
themselves. One of the most northern of the Mexi- 
can states, Texas, by hard fighting, gained her free- 
dom in 1836. Her independence was recognized by 
the United States and later by France, Great Britain, 
and other European powers, but not by Mexico. 



128 PROGRESS AND INVENTION 

Texas has a large area. Her rich and fertile soil 
and mineral resources had attracted many Americans. 
These not only had invested large sums 
Texas ^^^ ^ '^^^^ ^^^^ made their homes in that promis- 
ing region. After eight or ten years of 
independence Texas sought admission to our Union. 
Immediately there flashed out that rivalry between 
the North and South which in late years had been 
growing rapidly. The South ardently desired the 




The first capital of Texas 

admission of Texas because it meant greatly in- 
creased representation for that section in Congress. 
For the same reason the North opposed it, fearing 
to have the South strengthened. 

The question was serious, too, because of the atti- 
tude of Mexico. She had not acknowledged Texas 
as independent; therefore, annexation to the United 
States was likely to bring war between the two nations. 
To this argument there were those who answered: 
"The United States would do well to declare war 
against Mexico. She has, at various times, damaged 



ANNEXATION OF TEXAS 129 

the property of Ameriean citizens, insulted our officers, 
and dishonored the flag." 

In spite of the argument against it, in 1845 Texas 
was admitted to the Union. Immediately dispute 
arose over the southern boundary line. The Texans 
claimed to the Rio Grande, but Mexico insisted that 
the line should be a river some hundred miles north- 
ward. President Polk ordered General Taylor with 
a strong force into the disputed section. The Mexi- 
cans felt this to be an invasion of their territory, so, 
crossing the Rio Grande, they, too, entered the 
disputed field. A slight skirmish took place, in which 
some Americans were killed. Polk promptly sent a 
message to Congress: "^Mexico has crossed the 
boundary of the United States, invaded our territory, 
and shed American blood on American soil." Con- 
gress declared that war existed. 

Though many questioned the justice of this war, 
there was little doubt during the two years it lasted as 
to which side was going to win. From 
the outset the Americans showed superior ^^'^T^ 

^ Mexico 

training and better knowledge of military 
tactics. Even when outnumbered, their enthusiasm 
and dogged persistency won the day. The Mexicans 
fought bravely, but were handicapped by lack of sup- 
plies, poor generalship, and a weak government. They 
went down before the dash and energy of the invaders. 
In the northern campaign, General Taylor, called 
by his devoted soldiers Rough and Ready, won every 



I30 rRO(;RKSS AND INVKNTION 

battle of importance. lie was attacked by the 
Mexicans at Biiena Vista, where he won a victory 
that gave the Americans control over a large area. 
In the south General Scott landed at Vera Cruz 
and took the city after a siege of more than a week. 
Thence he successfully fought his way in from the 
coast until, in ICS47, he stood, a conqueror, in the 
capital city of Mexico, where Cortes had stood three 
hundred twenty-six years before. 

This ended the war, though the treaty was not made 
until the following year. By it the United States 
secured not only the Rio Grande as the boundary line, 
but also territory reaching from Texas to Oregon, out 
of which, in time, California and several other states 
were formed. Vov this territory, however, the United 
States i^aid a good round sum. Slie gave Mexico 
$15,000,000 and, for her, paid to American citizens 
whose property had l)een injured, damages amounting 
to #3,500,000. This was followed hve years later by 
the purchase, for $10,000,000, of yet another portion 
of Mexican territory south of the Gila River; it is 
usually spoken of as the Gadsden Purchase in honor 
of the man who brought it about. Since that time 
the two neighbors have never had any misunderstand- 
ing over llie boundary line between them. 

The Mexican War was the first in which our men of 
arms swept all things before them. Throughout the 
country it aroused a fire of enthusiasm that did much 
to weld us together as a nation. 



FROM 1807 'I'O i<S.|8 131 

FOR CAREFUL STUDY 

In 1807 RoIktL I''ull()ii hiiill, ;iii(l ran the. first 
successful slcainlxjal, which made many Lrii^s betwceu 
New Y(^rk and Albany. 

In 1817 James Monroe succeeded Madison in the 
pn-sidency, and the period of his two terms is known 
as the Kra of C}ood Feeling. In the year he came into 
office, the state of New Y(jrk began work on the ICrie 
Canal, comjjleting it eight years later. The canal 
helped to (jpen up the country west of the Api)ala- 
chian Mountains, which heretofore had been reached 
(jnly by wagon roads. The canal and th(.' roads w(?re 
soon supplemented by railroads, the first of wiiic:h was 
begun in 1828. 

The days of Monroe and his successors in office were 
full of i)rogress in still other directions. Rich de- 
|)osits of coal were found, whic:h furnished power for 
railroads and manufactures. Many important inven- 
ticjns were made, among them the electric telegrajjli, 
(he threshing machine, and the sawmill. All these new 
creations helped to make life more comfortable, but 
also led to decided changes in the manner of living. 
Factories were built near one another, and people 
gathered in large towns and cities. 

In i)olitics important events took place. Monroe 
s(;t forth the doctrine that the United States would 
keep out of any dispute European nations might have 
among themselves, but would object if any of thcMii 
tried to extend its territory in America. 

President Jackson was the founder of the Spoils 
System. He said that the winning party in an elec- 




c I jF d; 



(132) 



FROM 1807 TO 1848 133 

tion ought to put out of office those who had been 
appointed by its opponents and fill their places with 
its own members. 

In 1 819 the linited States purchased Florida from 
Spain. In 1846 the northwestern boundary of the 
L nited States was fixed by treaty with Great Britain 
at 49° north latitude. 

In 1845 Texas, which had but recently gained her 
independence from Mexico, was admitted as a state. 
This led to war with Mexico. Under Generals Taylor 
and Scott the American armies defeated the Mexicans 
at every point. The treaty, in 1848, settled the 
boundary line between the two nations and also pro- 
vided for the purchase by the United States of an 
extensive territory in the West. 

FACTS TO BE MEMORIZED 

Florida was purchased from Spain in 1819. 

The Erie Canal was completed in 1825. 

The first American railroad was begun in 1828. 

The Mexican War, 1846-1848, was caused by the annexation 
of Texas and a dispute over its southern boundary. 

The Mexican War, in which the Americans won every battle, 
resulted in fixing the boundary at the Rio Grande, and in the 
purchase from Mexico of California and other territory. 

Bibliography 

Erie Canal. — Foote and Skinner: Makers and Defenders of America. 
Fulton. — Eggleston: Stories of Great Americans for Little 

Americans. 

Foote and Skinner: Makers and Defenders of America. 

Hale: Stories of Invention. 

Jacobs: Historic Inventions. 



134 



PROGRESS AND INVENTION 



Jackson. — Brooks: Historic Americans. 

Foote and Skinner: Makers and Defenders of America. 
Mexican War. — Smith: Under the Cactus Flag. 

Stoddard: The Red Mustang. 
Morse. — Burns: Story of Great Inventions. 

Foote and Skinner: Makers and Defenders of America. 
Stephenson. — Foote and Skinner: Makers and Defenders of America. 

Hale: Stories of Invention. 

Jacobs: Historic Inventions. 

Wright: Children's Stories of American Progress. 
Texas. — Otis: Philip of Texas. 

General. — Mowry; American Inventions and Inventors. 




They enjoyed getting together for a rollicking time 



CHAPTER VII 
SLAVERY 

Thousands of years ago all the people of the earth 
were savages. In those days bloody wars were of 
frequent occurrence. There was only 
one law : might made right. There were j"^^^" ^ 
none of the rules of war which to-day 
lessen its cruelties, and so the battles were even 
more horrible than now. Not only were prisoners 
put to death, but often helpless women and children 
and old men were brutally massacred. 

In time, victors realized that they could do better 
with a captive than to kill him. They could put him 
to work. They needed to pay him no wages, but only 
to feed him so that he could do the tasks set before 
him. Then they could take the products of his labor 
for their own use. In this way there arose that which 
we call slavery, — one person owned by another just 
as a horse or a dog or a piece of furniture is owned. 
There were other reasons for the rise of slavery, 
but warfare was the chief cause of it. Thus we 
see that, when it was first established, slavery was 
really a step in advance. It saved people from 
horrible deaths, giving them their lives on condition 



136 SLAVERY 

that they work for their masters, the masters who 
had conquered them in battle. 

Presently there grew up the custom of bartering 
slaves. If a man owned a slave just as he owned a 
dog, surely he could sell the slave if he wanted to, just 
as he would sell his dog. Slavery once established, 
people bought and sold slaves, as they would buy and 
sell animals or farm implements. They seldom took 
the trouble to inquire how the slaves had been ob- 
tained originally. This made it easy for men to make 
a business of trading in slaves. They would go into 
a country and seize people in great numbers either by 
force or by trickery. Then they would sell their 
captives as if they were cattle. 

Thus it came about that even civilized people kept 
slaves. The Spaniards, when they first came to the 
New World, made slaves of the Indians and put them 
to hard labor. Not long afterward, English traders 
began the practice of buying negro slaves in Africa 
and selling them at great profit in America. For 
many years this trade in African slaves was carried on 
by the people of several nations. It was in 1619 that 
the first negro slaves were brought to English America. 

When, in that year, a Dutch man-of-war sailed up 
the James River and offered some twenty negro slaves 
for sale, the settlers of Jamestown bought 
America them without hesitation. From this be- 

ginning, the slave trade in America grew 
to very large proportions. At the time of the Revolu- 



INTRODUCTION OF SLA\'ERY 137 

tion, slaves were found in every one of the thirteen 
colonies. By far the greater number were in the 
South. In fact, in the year 1790, there were sixteen 
times as many slaves in the southern states as in the 
northern states, — not because the people of the North 
thought that slavery was wrong, but because the 
slaves were not particularly needed there. 

This was due chiefly to the differences in climate 
wiiich brought about different occupations and differ- 
ent ways of living in the two regions. In the North, 
the work in the shops and on the small farms could be 
done just as well and even better by the white men 
than by slaves. Practically the only negroes there 
were family servants. In the South, with its hotter 
climate, the chief industry was the raising of large 
crops of tobacco, rice, and indigo. The negroes, from 
the hot belt of Africa, were better able than were the 
white men to work under the broiling southern sun. 
Thus, in the South large plantations grew up, each 
with its small colony of slaves. 

In course of time most of the slaves had little 
knowledge of Africa. Many years had passed since 
their ancestors were brought to America. They 
themselves had known nothing of the awful horror of 
capture by scheming traders nor of cruel days and 
nights spent in chains in the hold of the slaveship. 
Born in this country, they grew up knowing no other. 
To them it was home, just as it was home to their 
white masters. 



138 SLAVERY 

Most of the negroes, especially in the northern part 

of the sunny South, lived careless, easy-going lives. 

They were a childlike people, with no 

Plantation life . ., ... ,^, ,. , 

sense ot responsibility. 1 he little negro 

very early learned the difference between himself and 

the white folks at the Big House. The Big House 

occupied a choice location on the plantation and 

sheltered the master and his family. All the doings 

of the great people there were of intense interest to all 

the blacks, from the little pickaninnies to the oldest 

old aunties and mammies. Whatever Mars' John 

and Missis and little Mars' George and all the others 

were doing was of general concern to the whole colored 

colony. 

About each Big House there clustered the rude huts 

of many families of slaves, — all forming a sort of 

little independent colony. Some of the handier and 

more intelligent of the negroes were kept at the Big 

House to work as butlers and cooks and other family 

serxants. The others labored in the fields, frequently 

the women alongside the men. When work was done, 

or they could avoid doing it, they enjoyed getting to- 

getiier for a rollicking time. A supper of corn bread 

and bacon and sweet potatoes was reckoned "mighty 

fine eatin'." Some of thc^ thriftier of the negroes kept 

a few chickens. How they were envied by their 

neighbors when, from their cabins, there issued the 

odor of fried chicken, proclaiming to all that they were 

dining in grand style! 



PLANTATION LIFE 



139 



'I'hc negroes were very fond of music and were ciiiite 
clever when it came to playing on simple instruments, 
esj)ecially the banjo — it may be that the negroes 
invented the banjc^. They greatly enjoyed religious 
meetings, and much of their singing was of jul)ilee 




hymns. They never seemed to tire of gossiping about 
their Mars' J(jhn. They loved to boast of iiow much 
brav^er and smarter and richer he was than the master 
of the neighboring plantation. y\n Englishman who 
had traveled in (ieorgia tells about meeting a slave 
and asking her if she belonged to a certain family. 
Slie replied merrily, "Yes, I belongs to them and 
they belongs to me." 

One of their songs that sliowed their pride in 
their master ran thus : 



I40 SLA\'ERY 

" Massa's niggers am slick and fat, 

Oh! Oh! Oh! 
Shine just Uke a new beaver hat, 

Oh! Oh! Oh! 
Turn out here and shuck this corn, 

Oh! Oh! Oh! 
Biggest pile o' corn seen since I was born, 

Oh! Oh! Oh! 

" Jones's niggers am lean and po' 

Oh! Oh! Oh! 
Don't know whether they get enough to eat or no, 

Oh! Oh! Oh! 
Turn out here and shuck this corn, 

Oh! Oh! Oh! 
Biggest pile o' corn seen since I was born, 

Oh! Oh! Oh!" 

From this you see that the negroes spoke a pictur- 
esque English quite their own. Many of them were 
fond of using long words with great gusto, but their 
thoughts for the most part were as simple as their 
daily lives. They lived close to the nature about them 
and delighted in wonderful stories of animals and their 
make-believe adventures. Mr. Joel Chandler Harris, 
writing as " Uncle Remus," has gathered together a 
great many of their stories, which make very enjoy- 
able reading. For Instance, one of them begins: 

"Bimeby, one day, arter Brer Fox bin doln' all that 
he could fer to ketch Brer Rabbit, en Brer Rabbit bin 
doln' all he could to keep Im fum it, Brer Fox say to 



PLANTATION LIFE 141 

hissclf flat he'd put up a game on Brer Rabbit, en he 
ain't mo'n got de wuds out'n his mouf twel Brer 
Rabbit came a lopin' up de road lookin' des ez plump, 
en ez fat, en ez sassy ez a Moggin hoss in a barley- 
patch. 

"'Hoi' on der, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. 

'"I ain't got time, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 
sorter mendin' his licks." 

And so it goes on through several very interesting 
chapters. 

Many of the slaves, under these conditions, were 
quite contented and happy. But on some plantations 
life was sadly different. In parts of 
South Carolina and Georgia, for in- 
stance, rice, for many years the chief crop, was 
grown in hot, unwholesome swamp lands. The 
planters preferred to live in the city of Charleston, 
where it was cooler and more pleasant than on the 
plantations. So ^hey put the work into the hands of 
overseers, who sent the negroes out in gangs and 
sometimes drove them so hard that they became surly 
and ugly. 

Whether the slaves lived in Virginia, in Georgia, or 
in New York, the fact remained that they were slaves. 
It is true that many of the negroes were well cared for. 
No doubt they were better off than they would have 
been if free to shift for themselves. But it is also true 
that there was much suffering and sorrow. For the 
slave was the absolute property of his master. That 



142 SLAVERY 

meant that if the master was disposed to treat his 
slave cruelly, he could do so without any fear of the 
law. More than this, the master could sell the slave 
whenever he chose. The slave's new owner might 
take him hundreds of miles away, and thus he might 
be separated from his family forever. 

In the colonial days people were so familiar with 
slavery that they gave little thought to the question 
The right whether it was right or wrong. Indeed, 
and wrong of most of them took for granted that it was 
slavery right. Some defended it because, they 

said, the negroes were much better off as slaves in 
America than as wild savages in their native homes in 
Africa. Some even went so far as to assert that the 
negroes were not human beings and therefore had no 
rights which men need respect. However, as the 
years passed, many people, north and south, came to 
feel that, old and profitable as it was, slavery could 
not, after all, be right. To them it was clear that 
even if a man were not of the white race, to enslave 
him and treat him as a possession must be wrong. 

These people argued against slavery. Many of 
them were slave owners. Some, by freeing their slaves 
showed that they were quite ready to practice what 
they preached. They had some influence, as is shown 
by the fact that ten of the thirteen original states had 
laws forbidding the importation of slaves. That is, 
slaves already here might be bought and sold, but no 
more could be brought into those states from Africa 



RICHIT AND VVRONC; Oi" SL.W ERV 143 

or other countries. However, when the Constitution 
was formed, it was agreed that, for a jjeriod of twenty 
years, the United States should not forbid any state 
to import slaves if it wished to do so. This was 
done to please the two Carolinas and Cxeorgia; three 
states that had not yet enough slaves to work their 
fields. 

Most people thought that slavery would gradually 
decline, — perhaps it would die out altogether in the 
course of a few decades. But this hope was soon 
shattered. 

Cotton, whicli had been a very unimportant plant, 
suddenly became the king of the southern crops. It 
had not been cultivated extensiva'ly because it cost so 
much to prepare it for tiie mills. The cotton plant 
produces a pod or boll hlled with fluffy white fibers. 
It is from these fibers that cotton cloth is made, but 
first they must be separated from the countless little 
seeds imbedded in them. One man could spend all 
day faithfully picking out the tiny seeds, and then 
find that he had but four or five pounds of the clean 
cotton to reward him for his day's work. At this rate 
cotton was a very costly product. It would never 
pay to build and run large mills to manufacture it 
into fabrics. 

Just before the close of the eighteenth century, Eli 
Whitney, a young man from New Eng- 

■..,,,. , T , r The cotton gin 

land, visited the South. Interested in 

cotton, he set his inventive mind to the task of 



144 



SLAVERY 



devising some sort of machinery that would do the 
work of separating seeds and fiber. It was not long 
before he had invented a cotton-engine, or cotton- 
gin, as it was soon nicknamed. His machine combed 

out the seeds from 
the fiber. It did the 
work so well and so 
rapidly that with it 
one man could clean 
as much cotton as 
two hundred men 
could clean by hand. 
This started the plant- 
ers to raising cotton 
instead of some of the 
less profitable crops. 
Now there was much 
more work for slaves 
to do than there had 
ever been before. 
Thus slavery gained a new importance to the people 
of the South. They came to depend more and more 
upon slave labor in their homes and plantations. As 
slavery became more important and necessary to 
them, they defended it vigorously. The whole sub- 
ject soon became a very vexing political problem, i 
For sixty years the statesmen of the nation struggled 
to settle it. How it was solved we have next to 
consider. 




ihe cotton gin 



GROWTH OK slavi:ry 145 

FOR CAREFUL STUDY 

Human slavery is a very old institution. As people 
became more humane they realized the wron^ of it, 
and it no longer exists in any civilized country. In 
the United States, however, it was not abolished 
without a tremendous struggle. 

Slaves were first brought to English America in 
1619, when they were sold to settlers at Jamestown, 
Many thousands more were imported during the two 
centuries following. Owing to the differences in 
climate and in the occupations of the people, there was 
work for many slaves in the southern states, while few 
were employed in the North. 

Slavery existed in the South under various condi- 
tions. On many plantations the life was that of a 
clan centered about the white owner and his family. 
The negroes enjoyed family life and were well cared 
for by their owners. But in some cases, the owners 
of the big plantations lived at a distance and managed 
them through overseers, who often worked the negnx^s 
cruelly. These slaves had little of the pleasant family 
life that the more fortunate enjoyed. 

The discovery of the cotton gin made matters worse. 
With this machine the planters could w(3rk more ne- 
groes and make more money than ever before. Hence 
there was an increased demand for slaves. 

From that time the right and wrong of slavery was 
much discussed and the number of people who were 
opposed to slavery increased rapidly. 

FACT TO BE MEMORIZED 
Negro slavery was introduced in Virginia in 161 9. 



146 SLAVERY 

Bibliography 

Cotton Gin. — Foote and Skinner: Makers and Defenders of America. 

Hale: Stories of Invention. 

Jacobs: Historic Inventions. 

Mowry: American Inventions and Inventors. 
General. — Harris: On the Plantation. 

Harris: Told by Uncle Remus. 

Harris: Mr. Rabbit at Home. 

Harris: Nights with Uncle Remus. 

Harris: Uncle Remus and the Little Boy. 

Harris: Uncle Remus: his Songs and his Sayings. 




A Lincoln-Douglas debate 



CHAPTER VIII 
SECESSION 

If we are to understand how slavery figured in 
politics we must go back to the earlier days of the 
nation. The union of the states had been accom- 
plished only because people who disagreed on impor- 
tant questions were ready to meet each other halfway. 
Slavery was one of these questions. Those who 
believed in it and those who did not, seemed willing 
to look at the matter with each other's eyes. The 
result was that several compromises were agreed 
upon. 

Of the thirteen original states, six had many slaves. 
The other seven had few and were opposed to slavery — 
in fact, one after another, they abolished 
it by law. The Constitution provided, ^^^^7^ ^° 
as we remember, that each state should 
have two senators. Thus, as nearly as could be, 
the Senate was divided equally between the two 
sides. 

But in the House of Representatives, each state was 

to be represented according to the number of its 

people. Immediately a serious argument arose. In 

taking the census of the states were the slaves to be 

147 



148 SECESSION 

counted ? Naturally those states in which there were 
many slaves said "Yes." The others answered : "But 
you say that slaves are property and not persons; 
therefore, they should not be counted in the popula- 
tion any more than are your horses and cattle." To 
settle this dispute a curious compromise was made. 
It was decided to count each slave as three fifths of 
a person. Thus, if a state had 100,000 white people 
and the same number of slaves, the slaves were to 
be considered as equal to 60,000 white people, and 
the population of the state would be reckoned as 
160,000. 

Another question was: "Shall we allow slaves to be 
imported into the United States?" This, too, was 
settled by compromise. Congress, as we have learned, 
was not to stop the importation of slaves for twenty 
years. At the end of the twenty years Congress 
prohibited the practice entirely. 

A third provision was that if a slave ran away from 

his owner, he could be brought back even if he had 

escaped into a state where slavery was 

_, ,. prohibited. A runaway slave was called 

Ordinance ^ ^ ^ -^ 

a fugitive, and we shall hear more about 
Fugitive Slave Laws later on. There was a fourth 
agreement which helped to offset what slavery had 
gained. It was not put into the Constitution, but 
had been made part of the famous Ordinance of 1787. 
This provided that there should be no slavery in any 
part of the great Northwest Territory. It is well to 



THE BALANCE OF STATES 149 

remember that when Congress voted on this measure, 
both northern and southern states voted in favor 
of it. 

Thus, at the beginning of the nation, the people 
supposed they had settled the question of slavery. It 
might have remained settled but for one 
important fact. The population of the , 
lands beyond the limits of the thirteen 
states grew steadily and rapidly. These people soon 
formed states which, from time to time; were admitted 
to the Union. A close balance, however, between slave 
and free states was kept. The first to come in was 
Vermont. Its people had belonged, some to New 
York and some to New Hampshire, so naturally they 
were opposed to slavery. This made eight free states, 
but the six slave states were soon reenforced by the 
admission of Kentucky and Tennessee. Thus in the 
Senate both sides were brought to equal terms. Next 
came Ohio and Louisiana, then Indiana and Missis- 
sippi, then Illinois and Alabama, — three pairs, — in 
each case a free state and a slave state. 

The year 1820 still found both sides equally strong, 
— eleven slave states and eleven free. But in that 
year a new situation presented itself. Missouri, a part 
of the Louisiana Territory, applied for admission as a 
state. There was no law forbidding slavery in this 
territory as there was in the Northwest Territory. 
Thus the question as to whether Missouri should be 
slave or free became a matter of dispute. 



I50 SECESSION 

Once again the spirit of compromise prevailed. 

Missouri was admitted as a slave state, offsetting 

Maine, which came in at the same time 

. as a free state. As to the rest of the 
Compromise 

Louisiana Territory, slavery was pro- 
hibited in the greater part of it. Missouri's southern 
boundary is the parallel of latitude, 36° 30'. Except 
in Missouri there was to be no slavery in the Louisiana 
Territory north of this parallel. 

For the next thirty years the balance of power in the 
Senate was kept by continuing to pair off the new 

states. Thus Arkansas, a slave state, 

^ was followed by Michigan, a free state. 

1850 _ ^ . . 

Florida and Texas were likewise followed 

by Iowa and Wisconsin. In 1850 California asked 
to be admitted to the Union. Then, once more, the 
question of slave or free had to be settled. It was 
proposed to solve the problem by extending the Mis- 
souri Compromise line across the new lands farther 
west. But California lies partly north and partly 
south of this line, and did not wish to be divided 
into two states. An agreement was finally reached. 
Henry Clay, the peace-loving Kentuckian, had taken 
part in so many compromise measures that he had 
earned the title of the Great Pacificator. Now, 
seventy- three years old, he once more came to the 
front with a compromise. Certain concessions were 
made to slavery, and California was taken in as a 
free state, as she herself had desired. After this, no 



ABOLITION 151 

more slave states were admitted, and, as from time 

to time more free states were taken in, the balance in 

the Senate was never restored. 

During the thirty years between 1820 and 1850, a 

great change took place in the thought of many 

thousands of people. An increasing num- 

, . V . . • Abolition 

ber saw nothmg but wrong and horror m 

slavery, and therefore they argued that there could 

be but one right way to dispose of it. That was to 

set the slaves free and to abolish slavery entirely. 

These people were called Abolitionists. 

It was by no means in the North alone that the 
thought of freeing the slaves had gained ground. 
Many of the foremost statesmen of the South had 
long before this been convinced that such was the only 
way out. Washington, in making his will, directed 
that on the death of his wife all his slaves should be 
set free. Patrick Henry wrote, "I believe that the 
time will come when an opportunity will be offered to 
abolish this lamentable evil." Still another illustrious 
Virginian, our third President, said : " Nothing is more 
certainly written in the book of fate than that these 
people are to be free." 

But abolition was not a popular idea. Even in the 

North the men who first set it forth met with much 

opposition. One of the foremost was 

,,,.,,. T , , ^ . , Abolitionists 

William Lloyd Garrison, whose motto 

was, "Our country is the world — our countrymen 

are mankind." In 1831, he began to publish a 



152 SECESSION 

paper called "The Liberator." By the poet Whittier 
he was termed the 

"Champion of those who groan beneath 
Oppression's iron hand." 

Whittier was one of Garrison's strongest supporters, 
and he too worked strenuously in the cause of aboli- 
tion. He tried to make the people see that they who 



»Ba_i«ii!ffli»J>E -— r: 



Part of first page of " The Liberator " 

had fought so valiantly against oppression ought not 
themselves to oppress others. How could a nation, 
he asked, which had written the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence still keep hundreds of thousands of human 
creatures in slavery? 

"Our fellow-countrymen in chains! 
Slaves, in a land of light and law ! 
Slaves, crouching on the very plains 

Where rolled the storm of Freedom's war."* 

Many notable men early joined the ranks of the 
Abolitionists. Among these was Theodore Parker, 
one of Boston's leading ministers. Another was 

* Whittier: Expostulation. 



THE ABOLITIONISTS 153 

Wendell Phillips, the "silver-tongued orator," who 
devoted thirty years of his life to the cause. It was 
he who said, " If I am to love my country, it must be 
lovable; if I am to honor it, it must be worthy of 
respect." It required a great deal of courage in those 
days to come out in favor of abolition. In the first 
place there were many people in the North who 
profited in one way or another by slavery. Then 
there were a great many who thought that so long as 
they themselves did not keep slaves, they need not be 
concerned with what other people were doing. Just 
to say that one did not believe in slavery was easy 
enough, but to become an out-and-out Abolitionist 
was going much further. 

The Abolitionists cried out for emancipation. By 
this they meant that the slaves should be given their 
freedom whether they wanted it or not, and whether 
or not their owners wished to free them. Here was 
a startling proposition. People resented it without 
stopping to consider whether it was right or wrong. 
Theodore Parker found that even his fellow-ministers 
were refusing to recognize him. He wrote: "Here I 
am as much an outcast from society as though I were 
a convicted pirate." 

Abolitionist speakers were hissed and interrupted, 
and more than one of these reformers received bodily 
injury. Even in Boston, at a meeting at which 
Garrison was to speak, he was mobbed and dragged 
through the streets. He was saved from serious in- 



154 SECESSION 

jury only by the action of the mayor, who lodged him 

in jail. An eye-witness says of him: "The man 

walked with head erect, flashing eyes, like a martyr 

going to the stake, full of faith and manly hope." 

And this happened in that city of noble memories of 

Bunker Hill and tiie light for freedom! 

It is not strange that in the South the Abolitionists 

were thoroughly hated. The statesmen of the North, 

too, had a good reason for not following 
State rights , ,, ,. .^ . , , , • 

the Abolitionists. It was the desire to 

preserve the union of the states at any cost. Ever 
since the Constitution had been adopted there had 
arisen many s(M-ious (iiieslions hinging upon the rela- 
tion of the United States to the individual states, 
llow muth of their rights had the states given up 
when they joined the Union? And could they, at any 
time, take back any of these rights? 

I'\)r instance. wIumi a state claimed that a law of 

Congress was unfair, could it say: "We refuse to obey 

this law"? To do this would be nullifi- 

NuUification . , . , , ,,.r i i 

cation, lu'cause it would nullily the law; 

that is, it wH)uId make the law null or of no effect. Or, 

could the state go still further and say: "We cannot 

agree with our fellow states; so we will draw out of 

the Union and once more be an independent nation 

just as we w'ere at the close of the Revolution"? To 

do this would be secession. 

There were many peoj^le in both the North and the 

South who belie\-ed in the right of nuUilication and of 



NULLIFICATION 



^55 



secession. In several instances states had declared 
that they had the right to nullify a law, and even to 
secede from the Union. One of the most important 
of these cases was over a (ariff law which did not 
I)leasc some of the states. There was a heated debate 
in the Senate, in which Rob- 
ert y. Ilayne, of South Caro- 
lina, made a speech in suj^port 
of nullification. He declared 
that the South was acting on 
a principle she had always held 
sacred, — "resistance to unau- 
thorized taxation." Hayne was 
answered by Daniel Webster, 
who concluded v/ith the memo- 
rable words: "Liberty (uid 
Union, now and forever, one 



and inseparabl( 



In 1832 the 




Statue of Daniel Webster, 
in New York 



state of South Carolina declared 
that it would nullify the tariff 
law and that if necessary it 
would secede fnjm the Union. 
But President Jackson was not 
moved by this threat. He 
warned the pecjple of that state tiiat if they dis- 
obeyed the Federal laws, he would use the army and 
navy to make them obey. Under the influence of 
Henry Clay the law was soon after slightly changed 
to please South Carolina. This, and the determined 



156 SECESSION 

stand of the President, prevented the secession of 
that state. 

When, some years later, the cry of abohtion was 
raised, the great southern leaders declared very posi- 
tively that the slaveholding states would secede rather 
than give up slavery. Among these leaders was John 
C. Calhoun, a South Carolinian, who had served two 
terms as vice-president and who for many years was a 
member of the United States Senate. Said he: "We 
love and cherish the Union; we remember with 
the kindest feelings our common origin, with pride 
our common achievements, and fondly anticipate 
the common greatness and glory that seem to await 
us; but origin, achievements, and anticipation of 
common greatness are to us as nothing, compared 
with this question. It is to us a vital question." 
Even some of the people of the North began to say 
that the free states ought to secede rather than 
to remain in a union with states that supported 
slavery. 

There was one feature of the Compromise of 1850 

that was particularly annoying to the antislavery 

people. This was a new Fugitive Slave 

Fugitive Slave j ^, j- 111 

Law. 1 he owner 01 a runaway slave had 

the right to recover him, even if he 

escaped into a free state. Formerly, the owner had 

only to declare his ownership and the slave would be 

delivered over to him. But many states had passed 

laws making it harder for the owners to recover their 



FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW 



157 



runaway slaves. So the slave owners demanded help 
from the national government, and the law of 1850 
took the matter out of the hands of the states. 

Now a slave owner could claim any negro in any 
free state as his own. He could call upon United 
States officers to seize the negro and return him. As a 
result the North was soon overrun by man hunters. 
Many of these were not the owners of slav^cs, but only 
agents of owners. Some were even making a business 
of hunting down helpless negroes. Such a man had 
only to claim that any negro he met was a fugitive, 
taking his oath that this was 
so. The negro in question 
could say nothing in protest, 
even though as a free man 
he might have been for many 
years living a life of industry 
and honesty. 

All this incensed thousands 
of the people of the North. 
It w^as their turn to claim the 
right of nullification. They 

began to talk of a "higher Picture of runaway used in news- 
1 , , • J 1 ^ ^ 1 paper advertisements 

law, meaning that they 

should follow their consciences rather than a "wicked 
law" of Congress. The Fugitive Slave Law was not 
violated openly, but many Northerners managed to 
nullify it by helping the negroes to freedom. Thrill- 
ing stories are told of slaves who in one way or 




^'**^->^w/^'X'""^-C^_ 



^Ij^ 



158 



SECESSION 



BOSTON SLAVE RIOT, 

2:. 




IT or TME FAHCUIL HALL MEETING THE MURDER 



another made their escape, only to be recaptured 

under the Fugitive Slave Law. 

Anthony Burns was a negro whose case attracted 

much attention. Burns had fled from Virginia and 

was working as a waiter in a hotel in Boston. Here 

he was captured and imprisoned in the court house. 

This angered the people of Boston. They held excited 

meetings, and made an 
unsuccessful attempt to 
rescue the negro. Fi- 
nally, under guard of 
several hundred sol- 
diers, he was taken to 
the wharf and put on 
board ship. In spite of 
the threats of the people, 
he was carried back to 
slavery. It is interest- 
ing to know that in 
this instance enough 
money was subscribed 
by people in Massa- 
chusetts to buy Burns 
from his owner and to 
bring him back north. 
But not many of the 

recaptured fugitives fared so well. 

Great was the feeling against the law, and many 

were the people who sympathized with the fugitives. 



Cover of pamphlet on the Bums case 



"UNCLE TOM'S CABIN" 159 

Thus it became more and more easy for slaves to make 
their escape and more and more difficult for their 
owners to retake them. It soon became a regular 
thing for certain people to work together to help the 
runaways. This they did in spite of the fact that they 
might be fined or imprisoned. If the escaped slave 
could but reach one of these sympathetic friends his 
chance of freedom was good. He would be passed on 
from one to another until finally he reached Canada. 
There the British laws against slavery protected him. 
It was all done so systematically and so secretly that 
the pursuers were usually baffled in their efforts. 
Hence these chains of sympathizers came to be known 
as the Underground Railway. 

There were thousands of people in the North who 
knew little about slavery and to whom it did not seem 
such a terrible thing. But even they 

, , ,. UTT 1 "Uncle Tom's 

were soon stirred by readmg Uncle „ , . „ 
Tom's Cabin," a book by Mrs. Harriet 
Beecher Stowe, published in 1852. She wrote that 
she hoped the book had "done justice to that nobility, 
generosity, and humanity, which in many cases 
characterizes individuals at the South." But the 
southern people protested that the book was exagger- 
ated and did not give a true picture of conditions in 
the South. Nevertheless, the story of Little Eva and 
Topsy, of Uncle Tom* and his trials and his pathetic 
death, of the thrilling escape of Eliza and her babe 
and of her husband George, of Emiline and Cassy, and 



i6o SECESSION 

all the others, went to the hearts of multitudes. It 
was widely read, and did very much among the people 
of the North to increase the feeling of hatred toward 
slavery. Mrs. Stowe, at the end of her book, said : 
"And now, men and women of America, is this a 
thing to be trifled with, apologized for, and passed 
over in silence?" Thousands who had been indiffer- 
ent before, now became earnest Abolitionists. 

There followed quickly still other important events 
that drew the North and South farther apart. The 
Missouri Compromise had decreed that 
N b k L slavery should be prohibited in the terri- 
tory north of 36° 30'. Yet when Kansas 
and Nebraska, both north of this line, were made into 
separate territories, the Missouri Compromise was re- 
pealed, and the people of each territory were allowed 
to decide for themselves whether or not they should 
prohibit slavery. Naturally this greatly displeased 
the antislavery people. 

In the struggle for the control of Kansas there was 
savage warfare that equaled in its horrors the raids 
of the Indians on the frontier settlements. Armed 
hordes of people, some for slavery and some against 
it, flocked into the territory, scattering destruction 
as they advanced. They burned homes, robbed the 
defenseless, and shot down those who attempted to 
oppose them. Scores of men and women were mur- 
dered in this time of strife before Kansas finally 
settled the burning question by voting against slavery. 



JOHN BROWN i6i 

Another dislurbiiig event was the Dred Scott 

decision. Dred Scott was a slave living in Missouri, 

a sla\'c state. His owner took him to live 

in tlie free state of Illinois and later in the , . . 

decision 

free territory of Minnesota. Finally his 
master brought him back to Missouri. Scott claimed 
that he was no longer a slave, because he had lived in 
Illinois and Minnesota, where, under the law, slavery 
was prohibited. He took his case to the courts and 
linally to the Supreme Court of the United States. 
This court decided that he had no right even to bring 
a suit because he was not a citizen. It further 
declared that Congress had no right to decide the 
slavery question in the territories. This of course 
added to the indignation of the people of the free 
states. 

At about the same time the people of the South were 
angered b> the expedition of John Brown. Brown 
was a New Englandcr. With his sons ^ , „ 

, ., , John Brown 

he went to Kansas while the attempt was 

l)eing made to save that territory for freedom. He 

took a prominent part in the warfare of that time. 

Some people think that the excitement of those days 

drove him insane. However true this may be, he 

l)elieved that if he could once arm some of the 

negroes, the slaves in large numbers would rally to 

his standard and strike for freedom. 

With this object in inind, Brown left Kansas and 

settled near Harpers Ferry, Virginia. In October, 



i62 SECESSION 

1859, with a score of followers, he captured the 
arsenal at that place. It was a foolhardy proceeding. 
His little band was soon defeated, and he himself taken 
prisoner, tried, and hanged. While this expedition 
cost only a few lives, it roused the people of the South. 
They were sure that Brown had been prompted to his 




Building in which John Brown was captured 

deed by northern people, and they feared other 

attempts to incite the slaves to rebellion. 

These events brought the situation to the breaking 

point. But in the meantime the question of slavery 

had been making and unmaking political 

Z. parties. It was in 1840 that the first 

politics ^ ^ ^ 

antislavery party, later known as the 
Liberty party, was formed, but it never received more 
than a few votes. Both the Democrats and the 
Whigs tried to keep slavery out of politics. In 1848 
the Whigs elected the popular old soldier, General 



SLAVERY IN POLITICS 163 

Zachary Taylor, to succeed IVesidcnt Polk. In 1852 
the Democrats elected Franklin Pierce. The events 
of the next four years so stirred the people that the 
various antislavery groups united under the name of 
the Republican party. Their candidate, John C. Fre- 
mont, although not elected, received a very large vote, 
and the Whig party went out of existence. Again the 
Democrats elected their candidate, James Buchanan. 

In 1858 the most distinguished man in the state of 
Illinois, if not in the entire nation, was Stephen A. 
Douglas. He had been in Congress for 
many years, and his brilliant oratory had j^^^ j^^ 
won for him the title of the Little Giant. 
The next year his term as senator would expire. No 
one doubted that, as the candidate of the Democrats, 
he would be overwhelmingly reelected. 

But from the ranks of the new Republican party 




The birthplace of Lincoln, in Kentucky 

there arose a man (jf the people, Abraham Lincoln. 
He had grown up in the rough pioneer life of the 



i64 SECESSION 

"backwoods." Circumstances were so hard that he 
could get Httle schooling. Books were scarce in the 
homes of the frontier, and the first vol- 
ume that Lincoln owned was a " Life of 
Lmcoln 

Washington." It cost him three days' 
labor to acquire it. 

Lincoln early showed an ambition for learning and 
an ability to think clearly. In time he made a name 
for himself throughout his state as a clever lawyer. 
Now he was put forth by his party to contest the 
election of Douglas as senator from Illinois. 

When Lincoln was nominated he made one of the 
most important speeches ever delivered on the subject 
of slavery. It was then that he said: "A house 
divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this 
government cannot endure permanently half slave 
and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dis- 
solved. I do not expect the house to fall, but I do 
expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all 
one thing or all the other." Most of Lincoln's friends 
tried to persuade him that his chances would be better 
if he did not speak so harshly against slavery. But he 
insisted on saying what he believed was right and true. 

Lincoln challenged his opponent to a series of public 
debates. His challenge was accepted. The two 
Lincoln- candidates spoke in seven different places 

Douglas in the state. This Lincoln-Douglas debate 

debate j-^g^g gone into our history as the great- 

est event of its kind. People by tens of thousands 



ELECTION OF LINCOLN 165 

came from all directions to see for themselves this con- 
test between the Little Giant and the tall, rawboned 
country lawyer who had dared to dispute with him. 

Douglas defended his own views with wonderful 
skill. Lincoln kept pushing him more and more on 
the slavery issue. One of his thrusts w^as: "I agree 
with Judge Douglas that the negro is not my equal in 
many respects. But in the right to eat bread, with- 
out the leave of anybody else, which his own hand 
earns, he is my equal, and the equal of Judge Doug- 
las, and the equal of every living man." When it 
finally came to a vote, it was found that Douglas was 
elected senator, but by a close count. 

Although Lincoln had been defeated, his speeches 
in this campaign made him one of the foremost Repub- 
licans in the country. When, in i860, the 
Republican convention met to nominate ,. \ 

^ Lincoln 

a candidate for President, it soon settled 
upon Lincoln. In the Democratic party there was a 
split, and two different candidates were nominated. 
Still a fourth candidate was put in the field by men 
dissatisfied with the other three. Lincoln was elected. 
This was the signal for the slavery forces to take 
action. In December, i860, the state of South Caro- 
lina seceded, declaring that "the union now subsisting 
between South Carolina and the other states, under 
the name of the United States of America, is hereby 
dissolved." At last the people of the United States 
were brought face to face with the question which 



1 66 



SECESSION 



had been argued throughout seventy-one years — the 
question of "state sovereignty." States, before this, 

to secede and to set I'll AKLliS 1 Oil 

up separate and inde- 
pendent governments, 
but never before had 
a state declared that 
it actually had 



MERCURT 



EXTRA: 



Pataed unaniaunuty at 1.15 o'clock. P. . 
aotk, I860. 

AJt ORDIITAJVCE 

To dUtolne Ihe LMm trltrren Iht Stale (tf South Carolina tmd 
tlher Stain imUrd aUh htr iou/ct- Ihe compact mtUltd « TIh 
CamlUullon nfthe VnUtd Slalet of America." 



The claim of 
the South 



se- 
ceded. 

Here was the most 
vital issue that has 
ever con- 
fronted 
the Amer- 
ican government. 
Here was a state claim- 
ing that it had already 
left the Union. Did 
mere claiming make it 
so? If the national 
government could 
force the state back, 
by warfare if need be, 

it would prove that Newspaper bulletin issued after the secession 

of South Carolina 

the State had made a 

false claim. On the other hand, if the state suc- 
ceeded against the forces of the federal government, 
its claim would have to be recognized. The atti- 



iroited StatM of Amcric* wu ntified. and thtt, »H Acti bnd puts of KtXa of tba 0«eMiJ 
Aaamblj of tbli 6ui«, wifjiDg tmeDdmoDU of the uid OoDsytntioa, m berabf tepMled : 

UNION 

DISSOLVED! 



CLAIM OF THE SOUTH 167 

tude of the state was: We are a separate nation; 
if you attack us you are waging war on a neighbor. 
The attitude of the federal government was: You 
are a group of people in rebellion; cease to rebel or 
we must wage war upon you as rebels. 

The next three months were perhaps the most criti- 
cal in our history. Twenty-eight years before, when 
South Carolina threatened secession, President Jack- 
son took determined action. It might have been ex- 
pected now that President Buchanan would do the 
same thing and bring South Carolina promptly to 
terms. But he did not. He was a Democrat, and 
in March was to be succeeded by a Republican Presi- 
dent. It was hard to tell just what the people of the 
North would want their President to do. How far 
would they support him if he took action to reduce 
South Carolina to submission? Even many people 
who had been bitter Abolitionists were now frightened 
by the turn in events. Among these was Horace 
Greeley, the editor of the New York "Tribune." He 
said: "If the Cotton States shall decide that they can 
do better out of the Union than in it, we insist on 
letting them go in peace." 

When many of the Republican leaders were talking 

in this way, it is not to be wondered that Buchanan, 

a Democrat, should be perplexed as to 

what should be done. Indeed it seemed ^ „° 

ate States 

to be no longer a question of Democrat or 
Republican. Many men of both parties were taking 



i68 SECESSION 

a firm stand for the Union. Many others were looking 
at the problem much as Greeley did. In the mean- 
time the South took advantage of this condition of 
affairs. By February, 1861, six other states had fol- 
lowed the example of South Carolina. The seven pro- 
ceeded to unite under the name of the Confederate 
States of America. In those states there were several 
forts and arsenals belonging to the United States 
government. By seizing some of these, the Confed- 
erates got possession of large quantities of supplies 
and ammunition, so that if war came they would be 
prepared. 

As the days went on, the country saw that much 
depended upon the incoming President. People 
looked forward anxiously to see what he would do. 
Slavery was at the root of the trouble, yet Lincoln saw 
very clearly that the question now was not "Shall we 
abolish slavery?" but "Have any states the right to 
secede?" Lincoln kept assuring the people that he 
wished no war and no bloodshed. Nevertheless he 
showed that he would not compromise on the question 
of secession. 

Not until he was inaugurated could Lincoln speak 
with authority. On March 4, 1861, he became 
President. His inaugural address set the 
. _ . . issue squarely before the people. "The 
Union of these states is perpetual," said 
he. "No state upon its own mere motion can law- 
fully get out of the Union I shall take care. 



I 



INAUGURATION OF LINCOLN 169 

as the Constitution itself expressly enjoins upon me, 
that the laws of the Union be faithfully executed in all 
the states." He concluded with: "We are not ene- 
mies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though 
passion may have strained, it must not break our 
bonds of affection." 

Part of Lincoln's inaugural address 

During the next few weeks Lincoln waited patiently 
for events to shape themselves. He saw that the 
national government would have a great advantage 
if the South made the first move in the game of war- 
fare. His thought evidently was, "Let the South fire 
the first gun and thus put herself before the world as 
rebelling against the federal government." And so 
he waited. 

FOR CAREFUL STUDY 

There were many different opinions about the right 
and wrong of slavery, and in time this question became 
the most important matter upon which political parties 
differed. 

In the beginning, when the Constitution was 
adopted, certain compromises were made, and it was 
supposed that the slavery question was settled. The 
states were about evenly divided between slave states 




(i7o) 



DISPUTE OVER SLAVERY 171 

and free states, and for many years, as new states 
came in, this balance was carefully kept. 

From time to time several laws concerning the 
slavery question were passed. Among these were the 
Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850, and 
the Kansas-Nebraska Law. 

In spite of the attempts to satisfy both sides, the feel- 
ing of antagonism between the northern free states and 
the southern slave states kept steadily growing. This 
brought forward another question: Could a state go 
out of the Union by its own will, just as it had entered 
by its own will? The right to do so was called the 
right of secession. As the strife between the slavery 
and antislavery people became more and more bitter, 
many on both sides claimed this right for their states. 

Finally, when Abraham Lincoln was elected Presi- 
dent, in i860, the South took it as a signal for action. 
Seven of the states seceded and formed the Con- 
federate States of America. 

FACTS TO BE MEMORIZED 

By the Missouri Compromise, 1820, Missouri was admitted 
as a slave state, while slavery was prohibited in all the rest of 
the Louisiana Territory north of 36° 30'. 

By the Compromise of 1850, Cahfornia was admitted into 
the Union as a free state, and Utah and New Mexico were 
allowed to decide for themselves whether they would be free or 
slave. 

The Kansas-Nebraska Law, 1854, repealed the Missouri 
Compromise and allowed the territories to decide the slave 
question for themselves. 

The Dred Scott Decision, 1857, permitted slavery in all the 
territories. 



172 SECESSION 

Bibliography 

Lincoln. — Baldwin: Abraham Lincoln. 

Brooks: True Story of Abraham Lincoln. 

Coffin: Abraham Lincoln. 

Moores: Life of Abraham Lincoln. 

Nicolay: Boys' Life of Abraham Lincoln. 

Sparks: Men who made the Nation. 

Tarbell: He knew Lincoln. 

Tarbell: Counsel for the Defense. 
Webster. — Foote and Skinner: Makers and Defenders of America. 




Seized the bridle of Lee's horse " 



CHAPTER IX 
THE CIVIL WAR 

We do not have to go far into the history of England 

to learn that Englishmen have always been very 

jealous of their rights. The English have 

. ^ , , • 1 • The spirit of 

a saying that every man s house is his , „ . 

castle. For centuries the men of England 

have stood firm in defense of these "castles," however 

magnificent or however humble they may be. So 

when Englishmen came across the Atlantic and settled 

in America they brought with them this spirit of 

insisting upon their rights. We have seen how, as 

colonists, they defended their rights even against their 

own English government. We have learned how they 

resisted the authority of the mother country, and 

finally gained their independence. 

It was this spirit that prevailed once again In the 

days of 1861. Both North and South believed that 

they were right. The North insisted that the nation 

should remain united. The South insisted that it 

had the right to withdraw in peace from the Union. 

The people of the South were prompted by the same 

spirit that had led their forefathers to throw off the 

authority of England. They felt that they must 

173 



T74 THE CIVIL WAR 

throw off the authority of the United States. That 
authority was, they beheved, being used against them. 
So the Confederate States declared that if the United 
States should invade their territory, it would be an act 
of war by one nation upon another. Thus they hoped 
to be left to go their separate way in peace. 

This hope was not without foundation. In the 
first place they had reason to believe that the Con- 
federacy would grow In area. Other 

The plans of ^ ^ , , ^ ^u • • i 

,, „ ,. states would come over to their side. 

the South 

Again, they expected that the countries 
of Europe would speedily recognize the Confederate 
States as an independent nation. England and her 
neighbors, it was supposed, would be glad to see the 
growing American union shattered and replaced by 
a number of smaller countries. Thus it might be 
easy for European nations to gain more territory in 
America. Moreover, the Europeans profited by trade 
with the South. Especially, they needed the cotton 
that was produced there. So they would not want 
their supply of it cut off or their trade interfered with 
in other ways by a war. In the third place, the 
Southerners counted on the fact that they had many 
friends in the North. They took it for granted that 
the northern people in general did not care whether 
or not the South set up for itself. At any rate, they 
could not believe that these people cared enough for 
the Union to go to war to preserve it. 

But the hopes of the South were not all to be 



PLANS OF THE SOUTH 175 

realized. Some states that they had expected would 
secede disappointed them. Foreign nations proved 
to be in no hurry to take sides. And finally, the 
Confederates were much mistaken in the attitude of 
the North. They had forgotten that their northern 
brothers had the same independent spirit that they 
had. When once aroused, the northern folk could be 
just as determined as they themselves were. 

At first, success seemed sure and easy. The seceded 
states acted on the theory that all forts, arsenals, 
stores, ammunition, and other equipment for war, on 
land or on sea, that were to be found within their 
states belonged by right to them. So they proceeded 
to take possession. In nearly every case this was easy 
enough, because most of the men in command were 
Southerners and in sympathy with the Confederate 
movement. 

But there was one officer who did not take this view. 
Major Anderson had command of the United States 
forces in the harbor of Charleston, South ^ 

Fort Sumter 

(^arolina. He was a Kentuckian by 
birth, and his wife was a Georgian; yet he felt that 
so long as he was in the army of the United States he 
must defend his command against any attack by the 
South. Anderson's force of less than one hundred 
men occupied Fort Sumter, located on an island in the 
harbor. The governor of South Carolina insisted 
that no United States troops should be intrenched in 
this way within his state. However, he hesitated to 



176 THE CIVIL WAR 

act. He called upon the Confederate government to 
advise him. The president of the Confederacy and 
his cabinet were at Montgomery, Alabama, their cap- 
ital. They discussed the governor's request very seri- 
ously. One of them said: "The firing upon that fort 
will inaugurate a civil war greater than any the world 
has yet seen; and I do not feel competent to advise 
you." Thus they hesitated. But the impatient 
southern people would not let them delay for long. 

The Confederates made many attempts to induce 
Anderson to withdraw his troops peaceably. Then 
they served notice upon him that they would shell the 
fort. This they could do from the neighboring harbor 
forts which they already held. In the meantime 
President Lincoln was trying to send reenforcements 
and supplies to the beleaguered garrison, but without 
success. Anderson and his men were soon subjected 

Part of Fort Sumter after the bombardment 

to a hot fire from powerful guns in forts so distant that 
the guns of Fort Sumter could not reach them in 



BEGINNING OF THE WAR 



77 



return. For two days the bombardment continued. 
Time after time the shells set fire to the barracks. 
The magazines were threatened. The gallant de- 
fenders were nearly suffocated in flame and smoke. 
Finally, when ammunition ran low and food gave out, 
Major Anderson surrendered. 

At last had occurred the event for which President 
Lincoln, even against the advice of his counselors, had 
so patiently been waiting. The American 

flag had been fired upon. War had , , 

. for troops 

begun; but it was the Confederacy that 
had fired the first shot. How vain had been the hope 
of the South that the people of the North would not 
care if it seceded! The news of Sumter sent a thrill 
through the nation. Immediately Lincoln issued a 
proclamation calling for 75,ooo troops. The response 
was prompt and eager. 

Now that war was fairly on, the hope and enthu- 
siasm of the southern people ran high. They were 

confident of early victory. F'irst of all, 
, , , , , 1 1 r Confidence of 

they had ex^en more reason than before ,. „ ,^ 
■^ the South 

to expect that several other states would 
join the seven already in the Confederacy. Secondly, 
they were now more hopeful that European nations 
would interfere and recognize their independence. 
They expected to secure just such aid as France had 
given the struggling colonists in the days of the Revo- 
lution, Finally, the Confederates had some advan- 
tages from the military standpoint. 



178 THE CIVIL WAR 

For many years they had been looking forward to 
war and so were better prepared than was the North. 
The leading men of the South led outdoor lives and 
were fond of sport and the handling of arms. Many 
of them were army officers. They were high-spirited 
and ready to match their strength with their north- 
ern rivals. Again, the slaves could be left at home to 
carry on the work there, while their masters went to 
battle. 

The Confederates had a further advantage in being 
on the defensive. They were not seeking conquest, 
but only asking to be let alone. Hence, all they had 
to do was to resist invasion. This meant that they 
would not have to travel far to battle. They would 
not have to transport armies and supplies great 
distances into the enemy's country. Best of all, they 
would be stirred by the spirit that fires men when 
they are defending their homes and families. 

We shall now see how the South fared along each 
of these three lines. 

The first hope of the Confederacy was that it might 
increase its territory. It comprised seven coast states : 
The first hope Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, 
— increased and Florida, on the Gulf; and Georgia 
territory ^^^ South Carolina on the Atlantic. 

Several other southern states, however, were in sym- 
pathy with the Confederacy. Following the lead of 
Virginia, the three states immediately north of the 
Confederacy — Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Caro- 



FOUR MORE STATES SECEDE 



I7Q 



Una — promptly joined it. Richmond, Virginia, was 
later made the capital of the Confederacy. The gain- 
ing of Virginia was a triumph for the South, for with- 
out it the war would undoubtedly have ended much 







The home of the Confederate president, in Richmond 



earlier than it did. But not all of that state was will- 
ing to secede from the Union. The people in the 
western part did some seceding on their own account. 
In order to remain true to the Federal government, 
they brought about the division of Virginia into two 
states. In 1863 West Virginia was admitted to the 
Union as a separate state. 



i8o THE CIVIL WAR 

Missouri, Kentucky, and Maryland, to the north of 
these four, were known as the Border States. For 
several trying weeks it was a question whether the 
Confederacy would gain them. But the South was 
doomed to disappointment. Eventually all three 
were saved to the Union, not without considerable 
strategy, however, and only after armed force had 
taken a part in settling the question. Moreover, as 
the war progressed, although the cry of the Con- 
federacy was "On to Washington," its armies were 
never able to get into that city. So the Confederacy 
was limited to eleven states, and it is their fortunes 
that we are now to follow. 

The second hope of the Confederacy was that it 

might secure the aid of foreign nations, especially 

England. It was to England's interest 

^ ° . . , to trade with the South, where she bought 

— foreign aid '_ * 

cottoni for use in her mills. So the Con- 
federates sent their agents to England to induce that 
government to aid them. But they met with no 
success. The United States also had its friends at 
work there, explaining the position of the North and 
enlisting the sympathy of the British people. They 
were able to convince the English that, although there 
was much talk about "state rights," the chief issue 
of the war was slavery. Years before this, England 
had abolished slavery at home and in all her colo- 
nies. She could not now bring herself to take sides 
with the slaveholding South. 



THE TRENT AFFAIR i8i 

There was one incident, however, that very nearly 
turned the EngHsh against the United States. Two 
Confederate agents — Mason and SHdell 
— started for England on board a British ^. 
steamer, the Trent. Hearing of this, 
Captain Wilkes, of the Union navy, boarded the Trent, 
captured the two commissioners, and held them as 
prisoners. The people of the North were elated. But 
the clear-headed President saw that a serious mistake 
had been made. He did not forget that in 1812, we 
had gone to war with England for doing much the same 
thing that Wilkes had just done. So he gave up the 
prisoners and let them go on their errand. 

It was one thing for the South to talk al)out sujj- 

plying England with cotton, and quite another to 

carry on commerce with that or any other 

, . . The blockade 

country. 1 he United States did not 
propose to let the Confederacy have her own way in 
this matter. Fort Sumter had surrendered on April 
14. Before that month was over the United States 
had declared the entire Confederate coast to be 
blockaded. This meant that the government under- 
took to prevent all vessels from entering or leaving 
any southern port. As the coast line was some two 
thousand miles in length, it was a huge undertaking. 
The blockade having been declared, it was of prime 
importance to the Union that it should be maintained. 
Much to the surprise of the Confederates, they soon 
found themselves thoroughly hemmed in from the sea 



1 82 THE CIVIL WAR 

front. Despite the advantage of so long a coast line, 
the South was seriously handicapped. It was an 
agricultural region. To secure manufactured articles 
it had depended chiefly upon trading its crops for 
them. It had comparatively few machine-shops, 
factories, and foundries. Thus it was almost helpless 
as compared with the North, whose mechanics were 
many and just now were very busy in providing the 
tools of warfare. The North soon had hundreds of 
vessels impressed into service. They watched the 
southern ports with cat-like shrewdness, ready to 




A blockade runner 

pounce on any Confederate or foreign ship that should 
try to leave or to enter. 

The Confederates, however, were by no means idle. 
On many occasions vessels called " blockade runners " 
The Monitor managed to elude the blockading ships, 
and the Before the war had been in operation a 

Mernmac y^^^ ^|^gy struck the enemy a blow that 
nearly broke up the whole blockade. This happened 
at Norfolk, Virginia. Five northern frigates were in 



THE MONITOR AND THE MERRIMAC 183 

command of the harbor. On the morning of March 
8, 1862, the crews of these ships were startled by 
seeing before them a new and strange sort of craft. 
It lay low in the water. It had neither sails nor 
masts. It was propelled only by steam. In fact, it 
was the first ship In any navy to depend upon steam 
as its only motive power. 

The alarm of the northern crews was increased 
when they opened fire. Broadside after broadside hit 
the curious battleship without the slightest effect. 
The cannon balls glanced harmlessly off its sides. The 
Confederates had cunningly covered their doughty 
defender with plates of iron. But worse was yet to 
follow. The Merrimac, for that was the name of the 
ship, turned, showing a sharp ram projecting from her 
bow, plunged into the nearest frigate, the Cumberland, 
and soon sent it to the bottom. Directing her atten- 
tion to the others, she set fire to one and drove the 
remaining three aground. When the North heard the 
news from Norfolk it was dismayed and panic-stricken. 
Nothing, it seemed, could prevent the Merrimac from 
coming on up the Potomac and bombarding the capi- 
tal, or from ending the blockade of southern ports. 

But the surprises were not to be all on one side. 
On the morning after her startling victory the Merri- 
mac sallied forth to complete her work of destruction. 
But this time it was her turn to wonder. In front of 
her was a craft even more curious than herself. A 
fourth her own size, with a large round turret on a low 



1 84 THE CRIL WAR 

flat body, it looked, as was said, like "a cheese-box 
on a raft." It too was ironclad. But it was speedier 




The Monitor and the Merrimac 

than the Merrimac, and drew much less water. Soon 
it was ca\'orting around her, running through shallow 
water that the Merrimac could not venture into, and 
firing as it pleased upon her iron sides. 

The ingenious little boat was named the Mojiitor. 
It had been designed by John Ericsson, and hurriedly 
built in Brooklyn. It had arrived at Norfolk just in 
the nick of time. Neither of these ironclads could do 
much harm to the other, but the Monitor could hold 
the Merrimac in check. The fears of the North were 
quieted. From this time on the blockading squadrons 
hemmed in the Confederacy more and more. Soon 
her commerce was very nearly at a stand--till. 

The third hope of the Confederacy was that she 
might resist invasion. Victory might e\en lead her 



"ON TO RICHMOND" 185 

to march into the North, there to dictate terms of 
peace. While operations had been going on at sea, the 
armies of both sides had been gathering Third hope — 
in large numbers. They were recruited to resist 
from e\'ery walk in life. There were i^^^sion 
farmers, clerks, college students, mechanics, trades- 
men, — ■ all very eager and enthusiastic, but entirely 
ignorant of warfare. President Lincoln said that one 
army was "as green as the other." The Confeder- 
ates, however, had begun a few months earlier to put 
their army into shape. In both camps many weeks 
had to be spent in training and drilling the men, which 
made the people the more impatient to see actual war 
begin. Both North and South wanted news of some 
big battle which should prove that its side was going 
to make short work of the other. 

The Confederacy, now that it included Virginia, 
proceeded to defend this, its most northern state, from 
attack. In July, 1861, the Confederates, 
with some 30,000 men, were attacked by „. . , „ 

^ ' ■' Richmond " 

the Union army under General McDowell, 
at a little stream called Bull Run, less than fifty 
miles from Washington. General Beauregard was in 
command, and was about to suffer defeat when he 
was joined by forces under General J. E. Johnston. 
Together they retook the positions that had been lost, 
routed the Federal troops, and started them in a 
ragged retreat back toward Washington. The Con- 
federates, though better trained than the new recruits 



i86 



THE CIVIL WAR 



of the Union army, were yet not enough better off to 
be able to follow them far. So both armies rested for 
a while. 

General McClellan, succeeding McDowell, put his 
troops through a season of strenuous drilling, getting 
them ready to renew the attack. There was plenty of 
fighting in West Virginia and in Tennessee, but no 
great battle occurred in the East until the spring 
of 1862. Then McClellan again started the Union 
armies for Richmond. This time he went part way 

by boat and began by 
laying siege to York- 
town. He intended to 
work his way from 
there up to the Con- 
federate capital. The 
map will show why 
the operations in this region are called the Peninsular 
campaign. 

Johnston was in command at Yorktown. In order 
to gain time he kept McClellan outside the city for a 
month. During the siege the Confederates played a 
successful trick upon the Yankees. They cut logs into 
the shape of cannon, painted them black, and mounted 
them in their intrenchments. These "quaker guns," 
as they were called, completely deceived the enemy. 
When Johnston could hold out no longer, he re- 
treated toward Richmond. McClellan followed. At 
Fair Oaks the two armies met in battle, and the 




GENERAL LEE 



187 



General Lee 



Confederate commander, General Johnston, was 
wounded. 

Johnston was succeeded by General Robert E. Lee, 
wlio soon became the leading military spirit of the 
South. Indeed, his name has gone into 
history as one of the greatest commanders 
that the world has known. Lee was a great general, 
planning his campaigns 
with wonderful skill. He 
had, too, a soldier's love 
for getting into the thick 
of the fight. 

Lee's disregard of dan- 
ger was a constant source 
of anxiety to his men. 
The story is told that in 
one of his battles, late in 
the war, he galloped to 
the head of a column of 
Texas soldiers and gave 
the order to charge! 
But not a soldier would 
budge while their general 
was thus endangered. A 

gray-haired sergeant seized the bridle of Lee's horse 
and led its rider out of danger. Then with a rush 
and a will the charge was made. 

Lee's soldiers bore him a love that amounted to 
worship. "Mars Robert," they affectionately called 




I ft»i 



^:m?iiv 



xa 



fife 



Statue of General Robert E. Lee 



i88 THE CIVIL WAR 

him. Even his horse was sacred to them. His sword 
they reverenced: 

"Forth from its scabbard, high in air 

Beneath Virginia's sky — 
And they who saw it gleaming there, 
And knew who bore it, knelt to swear 
That where that sword led they would dare 

To follow ^ — and to die."* 

Another Southern general who was making his 
name a word to strike terror in the hearts of the Fed- 
eral soldiers, was Thomas J. Jackson. It 
Jackson ^^® ^^ ^^^ battle of Bull Run that his 

brigade held its ground against the ter- 
rible onslaught of the enemy, and an officer in admira- 
tion exclaimed: "See where Jackson stands like a 
stone wall." So Stonewall Jackson he was often 
called. 

Just now Jackson was operating in the Shenandoah 
valley, in Western Virginia. He pushed the Union 
forces, under General Banks, back to the Potomac, 
and persistently worried Washington. The Federal 
government, in its alarm, kept a large army about 
the capital to defend it from the unknown dangers 
that threatened. Thus McClellan was deprived of 
the reenforcements which he thought were necessary 
to the work of his campaign. 

While McClellan waited, Jackson suddenly joined 
Lee. Together they attacked McClellan's army in the 

* Father Ryan: The Sword of Robert Lee. 



FROM BULL RUN TO FREDERICKSBURG 189 

neighborhood of Richmond. Here occurred several 

bloody clashes, known as the Seven 

Days' Battles, in which thousands of men ^\^^ *^^ 
•^ Battles 

were lost to each side. Lee captured 

many prisoners and inflicted as much injury upon the 

enemy as he himself suffered. 

Lee next tried to turn the tide of war northward. 

He thought that the people of Maryland were in 

sympathy with the South, and that they 

, , I I I . 11' r^ 1 Antietam and 

would help him and his army. So he „ , ... 

decided to cross the Potomac well above 
Washington, and carry the war into the North, hoping 
to circle back and surround the P'ederal capital. At 
the beginning all was favorable to him. On the way 
to the Potomac he met and defeated General Pope at 
the second battle of Bull Run. Then he crossed into 
Maryland and was followed by McClellan, who 
defeated him in the battle of Antietam, one of the 
most terrible clashes of the war. Lee retreated into 
Virginia, and later was attacked at Fredericksburg. 
He held his own, and compelled the Federal army to 
fall back toward their capital. This was in December. 
Thus, at the close of the year 1862, the Confederates 
were as well intrenched in Virginia as they had been 
at the outbreak of the war more than a year and a 
half before. 

While this was going on in the East, the Confeder- 
acy was struggling to maintain its western and 
northern limits. It wished very much to hold the 



IQO 



THE CIV 



WAR 



Mississippi Riwr. If that should fall into Union 

hands, the South, thus cut in two, would be badl\' 

crippled. But the Confederates had to 

Capture of i i • . . 

^ , meet nianv assaults on this 8:reat water- 

New Orleans - * ^ 

wa\'. Near the mouth of the river was 
the large and important city of New Orleans, strongh" 
protected against capture. Two heavy chains lay 
stretched across the river below the city. Just above 




The Farragut Monument, in New York 

them were two forts whose cross-fire could be trained 
upon any boats passing up the river. Above the forts 



CAPTURE OF NEW ORLEANS IQI 

was a strong fleet, which inchided two ironclads. It 
seemed as il the city were impregnable and that the 
Federals would be foolhardy indeed t(» attempt to run 
up the river. 

But there were daring men at hand to undertake 
this \-ery task. Captain Farragut, with a fleet of 
hfty vessels, determined to accomplish it. He man- 
aged to get many of his ships up the river to a point 
near the chains. Then he dispatched two gunboats, 
which, stealing up at dark, succeeded in breaking the 
chains. There followed, during the calm, starlit night, 
a sudden rush past the two forts. The forts thundered 
their bolts upon the daring fleet. Boats loaded with 
pitch-pine were set afire and floated toward them. 
The Confederate vessels from up the river bore down 
upon them and engaged them in close combat. The 
battle raged until morning. Then, in spite of the 
damage done to the Union fleet, it was seen sailing up 
the river, ha\-ing victoriously passed the forts. The 
fall of the city was inevitable. General Butler, with 
a large army, followed Farragut into New Orleans, 
taking possession on May i, 1862. 

The Confederates were able to hold out a little 

longer in the northwestern part of their territory. 

They had tried to keep their forces in the 

field in Kentuckv and Tennessee, but were °\ !^ ^^^^ 

and Donelson 

driven back. Halleck, the Union general, 
early in 1862, centered his attack upon two of their im- 
portant strongholds, Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. 



192 THE CIVIL WAR 

Although one of these was on the Tennessee River and 
the other on the Cumberland, they were but twelve 
miles apart. Thus the line of defense between them 
was a very important gateway to the South. 

General Grant, aided by Commodore Foote's gun- 
boats, was sent to capture the forts. Fort Henry was 
easily taken, but the battle around Donelson raged 
fiercely for three days. Finally the Confederates 
' asked for terms of surrender, to which Grant made his 
famous reply: "No terms except unconditional and 
immediate surrender can be accepted." On February 
1 6 the fort yielded, and thousands of prisoners were 
surrendered. The South had suffered its first great 
defeat. 

At Shiloh, farther up the Tennessee River, Grant 
held his own in a fierce two days' battle, where 
25,000 men were lost to the two armies. Among these 
was General A. S. Johnston, who had commanded the 
Confederate forces in the West. The next day Com- 
modore Foote captured Island No. 10, in the Mis- 
sissippi River. This opened the river down to the 
Confederate stronghold at X'icksburg. Thus, in the 
West the close of 1862 found the South still undi- 
vided at the Mississippi. That is, it held possession 
of the river at Vicksburg and for some distance south. 

On the first day of 1863 President Lincoln took 
action in a matter that he had long been considering. 
From the beginning of the war he had repeatedly 
asserted that it was waged to sa\-e the Union. 



EM.VNCIPATION PROCLAMATION 193 

Slavery was not the issue. But he came to see that 

slavery was a great aid to the South in carrying on 

the war. Hence, to free the slaves would 

, , 11111 Emancipation 

be a war measure that would help to dc- p.^damation 

feat the South. So he issued an Emanci- 
pation Proclamation. In it he declared that all the 
slaves — more than three millions in number — in 
all the states of the Confederacy should be forever 
free. 

The Southerners were not at all alarmed by this 
proclamation. Instead, they ridiculed it. In scorn 

they declared that the mere word of the 

_ . , ^ , T T • 1 r- 1 Lee's start for 

President of the United States, whose ^^^ ^orth 

authority they did not recognize, could 

not set free their slaves. They became all the more 

intense in their determination to drive the Union 

armies out of their territory and even to carry the 

war into the enemy's country. In May Lee was 

attacked by the Federals, now under General Hooker, 

at Chancellorsville, but he drove them back terribly 

defeated. Then he started for the North, determined 

not to stop until he had dictated terms of peace in 

Philadelphia or New York. 

It is no wonder that at this springtime of 1863, the 

Confederates believed that their hopes were about to 

be realized. 

FOR CAREFUL STUDY 

There was only one way to dispro\e the right of 
secession. When a state claimed that it had seceded, 



194 



THE CIVIL WAR 




the Federal government could successfully dispute 
the claim only by force, — only by conquering the 

people that resisted 
its authority. 

The secession of 
the seven Confederate 
states led to war. 
The South began the 
fighting by taking 
Fort Sumter, on April 
14, 1861, claiming that 
it was part of her ter- 
ritory and that the 
United States troops 
had no right there. 
This was followed by 
four years of bitter, 
bloody, civil strife. 

The hopes of the 
Confederate States 
ran high. Four other 
states joined them; they expected European nations 
to help them ; and they were sure they could keep the 
Union armies out of their territory. But they were 
to be disappointed. The nations of the world refused 
to recognize them, and remained neutral throughout 
the war. Actual warfare took place almost entirely 
on southern soil, and for the Southerners it became a 
fight for the defense of their homes. 

The Union soon had the southern ports closely 
blockaded; and the Monitor was able to withstand 
the attacks of the Merrimac, in the first battle be- 
tween ironclad vessels. 




t 



The vicinity of Washington 



FROM 1861 TO 1863 



195 



On land the fortunes of the war varied. In the East 
the Confederate cry was, "On to Washington," and the 
Confederate armies seriously threatened that city more 
than once. The Union cry was, "On to Richmond," 
and the Federals fought steadily through northern 
X'irginia, but were stubbornly repulsed. The year 
1863 found the two sides practically at a deadlock 
between the two capitals. 

In the meantime, however, the Confederacy had 
suffered in the \\'cst. It had lost New Orleans and 
much of the Mississippi River. But it still held 
\'icksburg, the key that the Federals must gain if they 
were to unlock the river to Northern control. 




a U L F 



^ ^ ' ' '\S^ 



'!■■ M E 



SCALE OF MILES 



Xhe Confederate states 




'Finally they clashed at Gettysburg' 



CHAPTER X 

THE TURNING OF THE TIDE 

Let us pause for a brief review of the situation, 

especially as it looked to the people of the North. 

When the war opened, in the early part 

of 1861, they little doubted that it would . ^ ^\"* '°° 
■' ^ in review 

soon be settled — in a few months at the 
most. They thought of the South, not at all as a 
powerful nation, but merely as a set of rebels. All 
that was needed, they believed, was to march an 
army or two into the Southland and bring the Con- 
federacy to terms. Thus they would quickly put an 
end to the rebellion. But, as we have seen, they were 
soon to learn that it was not to be any such easy 
matter. Indeed, it was presently evident that the 
struggle would be fierce and determined. It might 
last for years. Again and again a northern army 
was sent against the Confederate capital, only to be 
thrown back with great loss. The North was thor- 
oughly discouraged. 

Home after home was being made desolate. The 

fathers and older brothers were giving their lives at 

the front. Sturdy small boys, in their efforts to fill 

vacant places, grew into sudden manhood. Day by 

197 



iqS 



THE TURNING OF THE TIDE 



day the women waited at home, doing their part in 
the defense of the Union. With patient hands they 
made roll after roll of bandages. Their choicest 
linens and even the table damasks were sacrificed to 
bind up the wounds of the soldiers. Those who lived 
near the hospitals were con- 
stantly busy making jellies and 
broths for the sick. After each 
battle, with eyes that could 
scarcely read through blinding 
tears, these suiTering women 
searched the columns of the 
missing, dreading to find there- 
in the name of some dear one. 
And yet the war dragged on. 

It was not only the defeats in 
the field that caused the Union 
leaders anxiety. There were 
many people even in the North 
who did not believe in the 
war. They really sympathized 
with the South and rejoiced 
when the Federal arms met reverses. These people 
were given the name of Copperheads, because many 
of them wore as a badge the head of the Goddess of 
Liberty cut out of an old-fashioned copper cent. 
And it was not only sympathy with the enemy that 
the government feared. \'ery likely, plots to give 
them real help were being laid in the midst of the 




A Union soldier 



DRAFT RIOTS 199 

Union states. Then there weis Canada at the north. 

It might be easy for Confederate alHes to make raids 

into the United States from across the northern 

boundary and cause much damage. 

As the war progressed, another difficulty faced the 

people of the North. The first call for troops had 

been answered heartily by enthusiastic ^ , . , 
•^ ^ Draft riots 

thousands. But as more and more men 
were needed, not enough volunteered, and it became 
necessary to get them by conscription, or draft. 
That is, instead of asking men to serve, the govern- 
ment ordered them into ser\'ice whether they wanted 
to go or not. This angered a great many, and in 
some cases they fought against the draft. The most 
serious of these draft riots occurred in New York in 
the summer of 1863, where much property was 
damaged and several hundred lives were lost. 

More than all this, the war was costing a million 
dollars a day. What was far worse, it was costing 
the lives of thousands of the best men of the nation. 
So, after every defeat, people would ask: "What is 
the use of wasting more men and more money in a 
losing fight? Why not let the South go its own way 
and let us have peace?" 

Despite all discouragements, the patient and 
masterful Lincoln, and some of the other statesmen 
about him, kept up hope. If the people would only 
remain loyal and support the war, there were many 
reasons why a united North ought surely to win in 



THE TURNING OF THE TIDE 



the end. Cruel and costly as the war was to both 
sides, the North was standing it much better than was 
the South. Its population was between two and 
three times that of the South, and thus the cost in 
men and money was shared by a much larger number 
of people. 

In their homes the southern people were feeling the 
effects of the war even more keenly than were the 
Effects of the people of the North. Nearly all their 
war on the fighting men were now under arms and 
South away from home. They, too, had to 

draft men into service. Day by day the blockade 
was tightening its grasp around 
the seacoast and cutting off 
their imports. So far, the war 
had been fought almost entirely 
on southern soil, and the ruins 
of beautiful southern homes 
marked its path. Yet under 
these burdens their spirits bore 
up wonderfully well. 

Especially were the southern 
women rising nobly to meet the 
situation. Life for them was 
sadly changed since the days of 
peace and plenty. Many were 
obliged to act as the head of the 
family and manage the home and plantation. This 
meant directing the work of the slaves in the field, 




A Confederate soldier 



EFFECTS OF THE WAR ON THE SOUTH 20 1 

and, by all sorts of contrivances, keeping the negroes 
as well as their own families, fed and clothed. It was 
no easy task. Where were they to get material for 
clothing? They could no longer import it from foreign 
lands. The Southerners had never manufactured 
much for themselves, so they had to go back to primi- 
tive ways. Every household became a miniature fac- 
tory. Old spinning wheels and hand looms that had 
not been used f6r generations were hauled out of the 
garrets. Patiently and cheerfully the women set 
about learning the long-forgotten arts of carding and 
spinning and weaving. 

The ladies could now pay little attention to fashion. 
They were glad if they could supply themselves and 
their slaves and the thousands of soldiers in the field 
with simple homespun clothing and homemade shoes 
and hats. They learned to make wicker baskets of 
willow branches. They learned to tan leather, using 
the skins of swine and even of dogs. They learned to 
make various substitutes for oil lamps and candles. 
In hundreds of other ways they proved true the old 
adage that "necessity is the mother of invention." 

They learned, too, to make their agriculture meet 
their new needs. They raised less cotton and more 
rice, sugar, corn, wheat, and other food crops. There 
was one crop that they had heretofore scorned, but 
now were learning to appreciate. This was the 
peanut, or groundnut. Peanuts were soon raised in 
large (juantities, and used in many ways. They were 



202 . THE TURNING OF THE TIDE 

eaten, they were fed to pigs to fatten them, and even 

the peanut oil was used for lamps. 
The war was costing the Confederates as well as 

the North much money. To help meet expenses 'the 
government taxed the people one tenth 
of their cotton crop. But the Confeder- 

money ^ ^ ^ 

acy could not pay its bills without 
])orrowing. So it issued paper money. As the war 
progressed, people became more and more doubtful 
as to whether the Confederacy would live to pay 
back any of what it had borrowed. As a result, 
they were afraid to take the paper money in place 
of gold and silver, and when they did, it was only at 
a great discount. For instance, coffee cost in Con- 
federate money fifty dollars a pound and flour several 
hundred dollars a barrel. A newspaper, printed per- 
haps on a piece of wrapping paper or wall paper, 
cost a dollar, and everything else was in proportion. 
Conditions were trying for everybody, but worst of 
all for those families who lived in the invaded parts of 

the country. The Union soldiers, sweep- 
, . ing through the land, often took food and 

other supplies from them. Many saw 
their houses burned, and were obliged to flee to some 
stronghold or to some district not yet invaded. 

One of the places to which people came, for "shelter 
was Vicksburg. This city, situated on a Mil at a bend 
in the Mississippi and protected by strong fortifica- 
tions, was supposed to be impregnable. But before 



SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 



203 






*/ 






long the people who gathered there would have been 

glad to be elsewhere. When the city was besieged 

by Grant's forces, life became anything but peaceful. 

'ih^Sehrieking shells began to roar and tear into 

town. The people took to cave-dwelling, like those 

of long ago. Holes _^,,__^_^^ , __ 

were dug into the 

earth on the sides 

of the hills away 

from the firing. 

They were small 

and damp, and in 

constant danger 

of caving in and 

burying the in- 

hal)itants. One 

lady tells of her 

experiences in a 

cave the floor of which was shaped like the letter T. 

In one end of the cross space was a bed, and in the 

other, a hole some two feet deeper than the floor. 

This hole was the only place where there was room 

to stand, and she says: "When tired of sitting in 

other portions of my residence, I bowed myself into 

it, and stood impassively resting at full height." So 

many were the caves that they "reminded one very 

much of the numberless holes that swallows make in 

summer." 

The people lived chiefly on corn bread and bacon, 




Caves used during the siege of Vicksbtirg 



204 THE TURNING OF THE TIDE 

and were lucky to get this three times a day. They 

were even glad to vary their diet with mule meat. In 

fact, the soldiers defending the city preferred the 

fresh mule meat to the bacon and salt rations. So 

the commissaries killed a number of mules each day. 

The eating hours were very irregular, because all the 

cooking had to be done outside the caves when there 

was a lull in the falling of the shells. 

Great as were the sacrifices which the Southerners 

were making, they could not keep on forever. It was 

on this that the Federal government 

ans e (.Quoted. The North hoped to be able to 
North ^ 

wear the Southerners out, even if it could 

not immediately conquer them. The general plan of 

the war was to tighten the blockade all along the 

coasts of the Confederacy, to seize the rest of the 

Mississippi River, and then with the armies to push 

in from the north and west. 

It seemed that the North, having more men, more 
money, more resources of every kind, must surely win 
sooner or later. And yet, in spite of all this, in the 
early summer of 1863, here was Lee, rapidly marching 
a determined, well-disciplined army across Maryland 
and into Pennsylvania. The North was almost in a 
panic of fear. 

The Union army sent to oppose Lee was put under 
the command of General Meade. For a few days the 
two armies played for advantage of position. Finally 
they clashed at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, not far 



GETTYSBURG 



205 



Gettysburg 



from the Maryland line. Here, beginning July 1, was 
fought one of the fiercest and most famous of the 
world's great battles. It raged for three 
days. In the first maneuvering the Fed- 
erals were defeated, and suffered a severe loss in the 
death of one of their gallant officers, General Reynolds. 
They were badly mixed up in the streets of the town 
and many were taken 
prisoners. But order 
was soon restored in 
the Union forces, and 
their troops placed in 
important positions 
on a line of hills near 
the town. Though 
they were outplayed 
at some points they 
held the hills against 
the valiant charges of 
the Confederates. 

On the third day 
the indomitable Lee, 
in desperation, hurled 
his men upon the Union intrenchments on Cemetery 
Ridge. Despite the awful fire from the Union guns, 
the attack was steady and gallant. A few of the 
men actually reached the breastworks and boldly 
planted their flags upon them. But it could be for 
only a moment. The equal bravery, the better posi- 




'.l^' 



1,, 



\ 






One ot tne monuments on tne Gettysburg 
battlefield 



2o6 THE TURNING OF THE TIDE 

tion, and the • greater force of the Federals were 
bound to tell. Their artillery and infantry fire from 
all sides centered upon the heroic charging soldiers 
and cut them down by thousands. By the close of 
July 3 the great battle was over. But with what 
frightful loss! The killed and wounded and missing 
on both sides reached 50,000. Four months later 
President Lincoln dedicated a portion of the battle- 
field "as a final resting place for those who gave their 
lives that our nation might live." 

Following the battle of Gettysburg, the Confeder- 
ates withdrew southward, never again to carry the 
war into the northern states. The people 
of the North were greatly relieved at this 
turn in t*he tide. The news of Gettysburg had just 
reached them when, from the Mississippi valley, came 
other wonderful tidings. On July 4 Vicksburg, after 
forty-seven days of siege, had surrendered to Grant. 
Soon the Federal gunboats controlled the entire length 
of the river. At last the Confederacy was cut in two. 
I'Vom this time forward there was little warfare west of 
the river. The Union steadily pushed its conquering 
troops eastward. Tighter and tighter it drew the line 
that hemmed in the Confederacy on all sides. Still 
there were many fierce battles ahead, for the South 
was prepared to dispute bravely to the last every 
inch of her ground. 

In Tennessee General Rosecrans pushed the Con- 
federates southward until he gained possession of 



CIIICKAMAUGA AND CHATTANOOGA 207 

(liattanooga. Near-by, at Chickamauga, however, 

he was defeated in one of the ijloodiest battles of the 

war. The redeeming feature of the l)atlle ^ 

1 • 1 r /-- 1 T-1 Tennessee 

was the daruig stand of General Thom^is, 

who ranged his men on a rocky horseshoe-shaped hill. 
Against this position the Confederates hurled them- 
selves in repeated assaults, only to meet with a steady 
repulse. So solid did the Union general hold his 
ranks that he earned for himself the title of the Rock 
of Chickamauga. 

It was not long liefore Grant arrived at Chatta- 
nooga, and took command. Well reenforced, he was 
ready, toward the end of November, to sally forth 
against the Confederate army which occupied strong 
positions on the surrounding hills. At every point 
the Federals won. Especially picturesque was the 
Battle above the Clouds, waged by Hooker's men, 
who fought their way to a point high up on Lookout 
Mountain. The victory at Chattanooga was a very 
important gain to the Federals, for it gave them 
control of almost the entire state of Tennessee. It is 
worth remembering, too, that in this battle, the four 
Union generals, Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, and 
Thomas, fought together for the only time. From 
now on the history of the war is largely the history of 
the exploits of these great leaders. 

In March, 1864, the position of Lieutenant General 
was created, and Grant was appointed to the office. 
'I'his made him supreme in command o\'er all the 



2o8 THE TURNING OF THE TIDE 

Union forces, second only to the President, who is at 

all times commander in chief of the army, and of the 

navy as well. Grant took immediate 

, steps to have all the armies work together 

under one plan. The crowding in of the 

Confederate lines of defense was to go on. Sherman 

was to push in from the west and Grant was to move 

on Richmond from the north. The two armies were 

operating at the same time, but we will follow the 

fortunes first of Sherman and then of Grant. 

In May the advance began. Sherman's chief aim 

was to reach Atlanta, the most important city of 

Georgia, and occupy it. He was opposed 

, with great skill, but finally the Confed- 

advance ° •' 

erates were forced to leave the city. 
We must not forget that in managing an army 
there is a great deal more than just marching it around 
and setting it to fighting. An army, like 
any other gathering of men, must be 
clothed and fed. Indeed, some one has 
said that "an army travels on its stomach." It is 
no small task to get three meals a day for a family 
living at home. How much more difficult it must be 
to provide for thousands of men marching about from 
place to place. This is the business of the commis- 
sary department. The general in command has to 
manage his army so as to keep in touch with what 
is called a "base of supplies." This is some place 
where food and clothing are sent and stored, and 



TROVIDING FOR AN ARMY 209 

from wliich the commissary can issue them to the 
moving army. 

For example, while Sherman was operating against 
Atlanta, far-off Louisville, on the Ohio, was his base 
of supplies. P>om that city there was but a single 
track of railroad, running through a wild and moun- 
tainous country. Everything needed by an army of 
100,000 men had to be carried over this road. This 
meant that 130 loaded cars had to be hauled safely 
every day. Here was an excellent opportunity for 
the enemy, especially their cavalry, to dash in, tear up 
the rails, destroy the cars, and cut down the bridges. 
Every foot of the road had to be safeguarded against 
attack, and the cars and roadbed kept in condition for 
the important work required of them. 

It was a long thin line for the Union army to be hang- 
ing on, and when the Confederates moved north to 
break it, Sherman determined to make a daring ven- 
ture. He would cut loose from his base of supplies and 
start eastward, "living on the country." That is, in- 
stead of feeding his army with supplies brought from 
his base, he would have his men forage for themselves, 
eating what they could find as they went along. Some 
thought he would be foolhardy to attempt it. But 
there was no army to oppose him, and if he could reach 
the Atlantic coast he could secure supplies from the 
North by sea. His success would mean that the Con- 
federacy would be cut across once again, this time 
from east to west. 



THE TURNING OF THE TIDE 



From Atlanta 
to the Sea 



So, on November i6, Sherman, with 62,000 men, 
started on his famous march to the sea. The weather 
was favorable and food was plentiful. In 
five weeks the army covered three hun- 
dred miles, cutting a strip sixty miles wide 
through the heart of the Confederacy. The troops 
destroyed railroads, captured great stores of pro- 
visions, and made desolate all the land. It is said 
that no living thing was found in Sherman's track, — 
only the chimneys were left to mark the path of his 
army. Finally he reached Savannah, which offered 
little resistance, so that, on December 21, Sherman 
sent to Lincoln the message: "I beg to present you 
as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah." 

Before turning our attention to Grant, we will note 
two other events of importance in 1864. One occurred 
in August and the other in November, and 
both were Union victories. The first was 
a naval expedition against Mobile Bay in which Ad- 
miral Farragut 
and his crews 
distinguished 
themselves. The 
admiral, lashed 
to the rigging 
of his flagship, 
the Hartford, 
directed his 
fleet past the Confederate forts and engaged in a 




The Hartford 



MOBILE BAY 211 

desperate but successful conflict with an ironclad fleet 
beyond. The harbor was henceforth held by the 
Federal forces as part of the blockade. 

The second event was a battle neither of armies nor 
of navies, but a battle of the ballots. Lincoln's term 
as President was nearly at its end. The 
people of the North opposed to the war .^^ 
were anxious to see him defeated for a 
second term. But he was reelected by a large ma- 
jority over the Democratic candidate, General Mc- 
Clcllan, and it was then certain that the war would 
be continued to a finish. 

And now, how had Grant been faring? Early in 
May, 1864, he threw his forces into the Wilderness 
about the Rapidan River, in Virginia. 
Here was fought one of the weirdesc of ^^.,/ ^° 

° Wilderness 

battles. In the midst of tangled thickets 
the enemies struggled almost hand to hand. So awful 
was some of the fighting that large oak trees fell to 
the ground, their trunks severed by the bullets. 
Though the struggle lasted a long time neither side 
won a decisive victory. 

Lee kept placing his army in strong positions to bar 
Grant's progress. When Grant tried another road, 
Lee would move to a new position. 
Many bloody battles were fought. Lee 
li()p«(l to worry and tire out his opponents 
so as to shake them off from their purpose to take 
Richmond. But Grant kept hammering away. Lee 



212 THE TURNING OF THE TIDE 

made one move that gave the government a sudden 
scare. While Grant was held busy in front of him, 
he sent General Early down the Shenandoah valley. 
Early's troops traveled swiftly, and, carrying all before 
them, seriously threatened the city of Washington. 
Sheridan was sent after them, and pushed the Con- 
federates back up the valley. The Union army so 
thoroughly raided the country that it was said: "If 
a crow wants to fly down the Shenandoah he must 
carry his provisions with him." 

One of the stirring incidents of this campaign was 
Sheridan's ride from Winchester to the scene of battle 
where the Union army had been suddenly surprised. 
The men were in retreat. Sheridan, dashing up to 
rejoin his army, met the stragglers and shouted to 
them to turn. Inspired to new courage by the sight 
of their leader, the soldiers re-formed and rushed back 
to battle. Even the black horse that bore the little 
general from Winchester, "twenty miles away," has 
had his praises sung by the poet: 

"With foam and with dust the black charger was gray; 
By the flash of his eye, and the red nostril's play, 
He seemed to the whole great army to say: 
' I have brought you Sheridan all the way 
From Winchester town to save the day!'"* 

Thus Lee's attempt to distract Grant's attention 
failed. He had to content himself finally with trying 
to hold Richmond and its strong outpost, Petersburg. 

* T. B. Read: Sheridan's Ride. 



THE SHENANDOAH 213 

But by spring Lee's position became daily more hope- 
less. Sherman had started north from Savannah 
and was making fast marches through 
the Carolinas. Grant was hammering g^jj-jg^^jg^. 
away at the south and east. Only the 
west was left open to the Confederate General. 
Forced to retreat, he started from Richmond on April 
2, leaving that city at last to the Federals. Grant 
followed him in hot pursuit, and when Sheridan's 
troops got around to the west, Lee was cornered. 
He loved his men too well to sacrifice them in a final 
battle. To go to General Grant and ask for terms 
of surrender was to him worse than "a thousand 
deaths." But go he did. The interview took place at 
Appomattox Court House, April 9. Those who wit- 
nessed it spoke of the extreme courtesy each general 
showed the other. Grant, as he wrote many years 
later, "felt like anything rather than rejoicing at the 
downfall of a foe who had fought so long and valiantly." 

The terms were soon agreed upon, and Lee went out 
to bid his soldiers farewell. "Men," he said, "we 
have fought through the war together. I have done 
my best for you. My heart is too full to say more." 

The remaining Confederate armies, woefully cut 
down in numbers and utterly worn out, soon sur- 
rendered. It was on April 14, 1861, that Major 
Anderson had marched his little company out of Fort 
Sumter, leaving it in the hands of the South Carolina 
troops. On April 14, 1865, in the presence of a dis- 



214 THE TURNING OF THE TIDE 

tinguished gathering, Anderson, now a general, raised 
over the fort the very flag that had been hauled down 
four years before, — the Stars and Stripes, the flag of 
the Union. 

" Fold up the banners! Smelt the guns! 
Love rules. Her gentler purpose runs. 
A mighty mother turns in tears, 
The pages of her battle years, 
Lamenting all her fallen sons!"* 

FOR CAREFUL STUDY 

In the middle of the year 1863 came the turn in the 
tide of fortune which had been favoring the Con- 
federate armies in the east. General Lee advanced 
northward as far as Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, but 
was there repulsed in one of the most severe battles of 
the war. His army then retreated southward, never 
again to invade northern soil. 

At the same time Vicksburg surrendered to Grant, 
and the Confederacy was soon cut in two along the 
Mississippi River. It remained for the Federal forces 
to invade the Confederacy from all directions. 

Tennessee was wrested from Confederate control 
in campaigns under Rosecrans, Thomas, and Grant. 
This was followed by the march of Sherman's army 
through Georgia to Savannah. Thus once again the 
Confederacy was cut across. 

Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy, was the 
most important point in the east. Grant spent nearly 

* Will Henry Thompson: The High Tide at Gettysburg. 



END OF THE WAR 



215 



a year in trying to take this city from Lee's army. 
After much skillful maneuvering on both sides and 
many fiercely contested battles, the power of the 
South was broken. Richmond fell, and in a week Lee 
surrendered. 

Thus it was settled that no state or group of states 
could secede from the Union. 




The effective Confederacy at the end of each year 



FACTS TO BE MEMORIZED 



The attempt of the Confederates to invade the North was 
ended by the battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863. 

The Confederacy was divided along the Mississippi by the 
capture of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. 

Lee abandoned Richmond and surrendered to Grant in 
April, 1865. 



2l6 



THE TURNING OF THE TIDE 



Bibliography 



Farragul. — Barnes: Midshipman Farragut. 

Beebe: Four American Naval Heroes. 

Foote and Skinner: Makers and Defenders of America. 

Mahan: Admiral Farragut. 
Gettysburg. — Altsheler: In Circling Camps. 

Beecham: Gettysburg. 

Burrage: Gettysburg and Lincoln. 

Drake: Battle of Gettysburg. 

Eggleston: Southern Soldier Stories. 

Gordon: Reminiscences of the Civil War. 

Goss: Jed. 

Hale: Stories of War. 

Hill: On the Trail of Grant and Lee. 

Kieffer: Recollections of a Drummer Boy. 

Roosevelt and Lodge: Hero Tales from American History. 

Pickett: Bugles of Gettysburg. 

Retold from St. Nicholas: Civil War Stories. 
Grant. — Brooks: True Story of U. S. Grant. 

Foote and Skinner: Makers and Defenders of America. 

Goss: Life of Grant for Boys and Girls. 

Nicolay: Boys' Life of Ulysses S. Grant. 
Lee. — Barnes: Son of Light Horse Harry. 

Foote and Skinner: Makers and Defenders of America 

Johnston: Leading American Soldiers. 

Trent: Robert E. Lee. 

Whitehead: Two Great Southerners. 
Vifksburg. — Abbott: Battle-fields and Camp-fires. 

Coffin: Marching to Victory. 

Goss: Tom Clifton. 

Hill: On the Trail of Grant and Lee. 
General. — Coffin: Drum-beat of the Nation. 

Coffin: Freedom Triumphant. 

Matthews: Our Navy in Time of War. 




rhe day was first observed by the ladies of Richmond 



CHAPTER XI 
RECONSTRUCTION 

On one of the quiet streets in our nation's capital 
there stands a quaint building, three stories high and 
oddly shaped. It is even yet known as Ford's 
Theater, although many years have passed since it 
was last used as a playhouse. But at the time of the 
Civil War it was at the height of its popularity. 
On the very day on which our flag again flung its 
folds over Fort Sumter, this theater was the scene of 
a nation's drama. 

That evening a brilliant and expectant audience 
filled the theater. The afternoon papers had an- 
nounced that President Lincoln and General Grant, 
with their wives, were to be present. The box at 
the right of the stage, set apart for the distinguished 
party, was gayly decorated with national flags. 
When the occupants of the box arrived it was seen 
that neither the beloved President nor the honored 
commander was among them. General Grant, it 
seems, had been obliged to hasten North on some 
engagement and President Lincoln was detained by 
business. The play had not progressed far, however, 
when the audience arose and cheered wildly, the band 



2lS 



RECOXSTRICTION 



played "Hail to the Chief," and the great President 

was seen bowing his acknowledgments. 

The play had reached the third act, when suddenly 

the audience was stunned with horror b}' the sound of 
a pistol shot. All e\es turned toward 
their beloved chief stricken by the hand 
of an assassin. From cuit the smoke 

there leaped a man. Striking with his dagger at an 

army officer who tried to seize him, he vaulted over 



Lincoln 
assassinated 




Ford's Theater, in Washington 

the railing of the box to the stage below. The spur 
on one of his riding boots caught in the folds of a 
flag, and he was thrown to the floor. In spite of a 
broken leg he rushed from the stage and was soon 
lost in the night. 

The wounded President was tenderly carried to a 
near-by house, and through the long night, skillful 
physicians did their best to save the precious life. 
But slowh' it ebbed away, and in the early morning 



LINCOLN ASSASSINATED 219 

Abraham Lincoln, Xhv martyred President, sank to 
his rest. 

The 19th of April, 1865, was a day of mourning 
throughout the land. On that day funeral services 
were read ()\er the body of Lincoln as it lay in state 
in the east room of the White House. Following 
this, the casket, under escort of soldiers and civilians, 
was taken to the Capitol. Two days later it was 
placed on a funeral car. The entire train, including 
the engine, was draped in black. Then began the 
most impressive of funeral processions. Through 
eight states it retraced the route that the President 
had taken from his home in Illinois to his inauguration. 
In Baltimore, in Philadelphia, in New York, — every- 
where along the way, — the people gathered in loving 
sorrow. Finally the body was laid to rest in Lincoln's 
home city, Springfield. 

The death of Lincoln was a crushing blow to both 
North and South. Multitudes of the people, even of 
the South, recognized him as a friend. If the war 
must be, and if they nmst go down in defeat, the 
Southerners felt that their interests would be more 
wisely taken care of by Lincoln than by any of the 
other Federal statesmen. And just now the nation 
needed the very wisest guidance, for it was still 
bitterly divided. There could be no true reunion 
until the old wounds should heal. At the best, this 
would take a long time. As we look back now, 
we can see that Lincoln's death delayed by many 



2 20 RECONSTRUCTION 

years the coming of real peace between the two 
sections. 

Bitter, indeed, was the feeling of each section 

against the other. The South felt that it had been 

defeated not because it was in the wrong 

, ,. but because it had been overpowered by 

reeling ^ •' 

greater numbers. The North was equally 
sure that the South had been wrong from the very 
beginning. It was angry, too, that the South had 
held out so long in a losing fight, thus increasing the 
cost in men and money. 

For another thing, the treatment of prisoners of 
war had angered both sides, especially the North. 

Captured Federal soldiers were put 

Prison life . . 101 11 

mto such prisons as the South could 
afford. These were, of course, not very pleasant 
places. The prisoners complained bitterly of the 
conditions. The buildings were filthy, the food was 
poor, and there was not much of it. In some cases the 
keepers treated the prisoners with cruelty. 

The people of the South claimed that they did the 
best they could. They themselves were living on 
short rations, and could not be expected to treat their 
prisoners any better. Their best men were fighting 
at the front, and many of those left at home to keep 
the prisons, lacked the bravery and intelligence of the 
southern soldiers. 

The Confederates claimed, too, that they were 
really not responsible for keeping their captured 



TRISON LIFE 221 

soldiers in prison, for they had been ready to exchange 
them. But the Federal government, toward the close 
of the war, had refused to exchange because the 
Confederates would gain thereby. For each Union 
l)risoner that the northern officers received they 
would be giving a better-cared-for Confederate. More 
than this, the North still had so many men that it 
was not in great need of its imprisoned soldiers. The 
South, on the other hand, would have been glad to 
have had its men released that they might be added to 
its armies in the field. 

Some of the prisoners, however, did not wait for 
their release, but by one means or another managed to 
escape. Many were the thrilling experiences of the 
imprisoned soldiers of the North who attempted to 
elude their guards. Sometimes they were successful, 
but more often they were not. 

One of the most ingenious escapes took place from 
Libby Prison, in Richmond. Here a score of men 
spent weeks patiently digging a tunnel to freedom. 
First they cut away a few bricks from a chimney, 
carefully concealing the place behind some barrels. 
Then down the narrow, stuffy chimney they crawled, 
to an unused storeroom below. 

At first they had only a piece of tin can with which 
to dig. Trying to cui into the earth with this was 
slow and discouraging business. But luck came their 
way. One day a mason, working within the prison, 
left his trowel when he went out at noon. When he 



222 RECONSTRUCTIOX 

returned, the trowel had m\sterioush- disappeared, so 
he gave it up as lost. Soon that trowel was doing- 
hard ser\"ice scratching awa>- in the tunnel leading out 
from the old storeroom. Man}- times the men were 




Libby 

almost caught. Howe\-er, after patient weeks the 
tunnel had been run so far out that it could be opened 
up into the street outside the prison walls. 

It was agreed that, on the night set for the escape, 
the men who had done the work should have the first 
chance. But each of them had a friend or two whom 
he wanted to take with him. Soon hundreds of the 
prisoners knew of this hope of liberty. So there was 
a great rush for the tunnel, and a scrambling, pushing 
fight to gel in. Some nearly suffocated, crawling along 
the close, dark, narrow passage, through the damp 
earth, over and around rocks and roots. Yet nic)re 



EFFECTS OF THE WAR 223 

than one hundred got a\va>-. Imagine the amazement 

of the guards when the>' came to count their prisoners 

the next morning! But it was one thing for the men 

to get through the tunnel and out into the open, and 

(juile another to reach the Hnes of the far-away Union 

arni\-. Some did escape, but many were recaptured 

and brought back to pass other long weary days and 

nights "waiting for the war to cease." 

The southern people felt that they had a grievance 

because the North had recruited negro soldiers from 

among the freed slaves, and had used 

tliem in battle against their former mas- 

** grievances 

lers. Again, the Southerners were \ery 
l)itter over Sherman's raid from Atlanta to the sea. 
The>' accused him of ha^'Ing been much more de- 
structive than need be. 

These were but a few of the grie\'ances. When, 
upon the death of Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, the Vice 
President, came into power, he faced a very trying 
situation. The war was over, but the nation was 
really cut in two. Hundreds of millions of dollars 
had been put into the war. And worse than this, 
thousands of men had died on the field of battle. 
With all these strong men gone and thousands of sur- 
\i\ing soldiers suffering from wounds and disease, the 
country was in a sorry state. 

In 1787 the fathers of the nation had established 
the Union, as they supposed, once for all. But now 
it was strained apd weakened, and before the states- 



224 RECONSTRUCTION 

men of 1865 was the great task of rebuilding it. 
Reconstructiofi we call the period of the next twenty 
years, during which this task was being accomplished. 

In April, 1865, General Halleck wrote to General 
Meade: "The Army of the Potomac have shown 
the people of Virginia how they would be treated 
as enemies. Let them now prove that they know 
equally well how to treat the same people as friends." 
This was the spirit of the conquering soldiers gener- 
ally, for they had learned to respect the warriors of 
the South. But there were many others, especially 
the politicians and stay-at-homes, who shouted for 
vengeance. 

Thus, real reconstruction was delayed by those who 
were not satisfied with having beaten the South, but 
wanted to treat it as a conquered land. They would 
call all Southerners traitors and punish them even 
though the war was over. Many of the best of the 
Southerners fled from the country to Mexico, to 
Brazil, to Egypt, and to Europe, too saddened and 
crushed to remain among the ruins of their old homes. 
Others went bravely back to work and stayed to help 
build up the New South. To-day we are proud that, 
there is no North, no South, in any bitter sense; but 
that all the states are equally loyal to the Red, White, 
and Blue of the American Union. 

One of the beautiful customs growing out of the war 
is that of observing Memorial Day. It is on this 
anniversary that, decorating the soldiers' graves with 



MEMORIAL DAY 



225 



Memorial Day 



flags and flowers, we give special thought to the heroes 

who have gone to their final reward. 

The day was first observed in 1866, by 

the ladies of Richmond, and the custom was eagerly 

followed by, both North and South. 

The sad conflict had been brought about by two 
great issues, slavery and secession. The war settled 
both these for all time. 

As to sla\ery, not only were the slaves freed, but 

they were given more than even the Abolitionists had 

asked for them. It was a serious matter 

Slavery ques- 

t« ^'^'^ tion settled 
several 

million slaves their 
freedom. The igno- 
rant negroes did not 
even understand 
what freedom 
meant. Most of 
them had wild 
dreams of a life 
without work. The 
great President 
who had set them 
free would, they 
believed, provide 
them with food and shelter and clothing, while they 
spent their days in care-free idleness. They were 
soon to discover that this was not at all what was 



L^«r:&:ijj 




statue of Lincoln, at Washington 



226 RECONSTRUCTION 

to happen. A few of them had learned to be in- 
dustrious and , thrifty. These soon had work to do, 
and they kept faithfully at it. Most of the negroes 
stayed at their old homes, working for wages for their 
former masters or for other people in the neighborhood. 
But thousands of the restless wandered idly away 
seeking ad\enture. Idleness led to want, and want 
led to theft. Soon the South was overrun with poor 
deluded negroes who daih- became more insolent and 
more dangerous. 

Even before the close of the war the government at 

Washington realized that something should be done 

to help the negro and to protect other 

, „ people from his misdeeds. So there was 

men's Bureau '^ ^ 

formed in the War Department the 
"Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned 
Lands." This Freedmen's Bureau encouraged the 
negroes to work, and helped them to get work to do. 
Then it helped them to make their contracts so that 
they would not be imposed upon, and to settle their 
labor disputes. It also arranged for the sale and pur- 
chase of land so that the negroes might become 
property owners. Thus, gradually, some of the former 
slaves became more self-reliant. 

It was very important, too. that the negroes should 
become intelligent and r('sp()nsil)U\ for the>- were 
soon given political rights. Lincoln's proclamation 
had freed most of them. But. at the close of the 
war. freedom was made doubl\- sure. The Con- 



THE AMENDMENTS 227 

stitution was amended so that slavery should never 

again exist within the United States. 

This made the Thirteenth Amendment. . 

amendments 

and soon another was passed gi\'ing the 
negroes citizenship. It was followed by the Fifteenth 
Amendment, passed five years after the war closed, 
which gave the slaves the privilege of voting. 

The war also settled the question of the right to 
secede. But it was a long time before the seceded 
states regained their old place in the 
Union. The Federal government would ^^^^^^^ 
not recognize the old Confederate state 
governments, and while it was trying to work out some 
plan for establishing new state governments, there was 
much confusion. In the early part of 1867 the South 
was divided into fi\ e military districts, and over each 
a F'ederal general was placed in command. Under 
the protection of the army, loyal state governments 
were established. In the course of two or three years 
one after another of the seceded states was readmitted 
into the I'nion. 

This result was not secured without many difficul- 
ties. For one thing the ablest men of the South were 
not allowed to help in reconstruction. Officeholders 
had to swear that they had never given "aid or 
comfort" to a Confederate. Of course, very few 
peoplf in ihf South could take such an oath. Those 
who could were called "scalawags." The result was 
that the offices went to them and to negroes and 



228 RECONSTRUCTION 

"carpet-baggers." The name carpet-bagger was 
given by the Southerners to the men from the North 
who flocked into their states at the close of the war. 
Most of these men were without much more property 
than they could bring with them in handbags. They 
counted on making their fortunes by taking advantage 
of the situation in the South. These men soon gained 
the confidence of the negroes, got themselves elected 
to profitable offices, and ran the governments to suit 
themselves. The states were soon loaded down with 
enormous debts, affairs were mismanaged, and law- 
breaking was common. 

The southern white men defended themselves 
against the lawlessness as best they could. Almost 

by accident they found one way to control 
JJ.J many of the negroes. In a little village 

of Tennessee a party of young men found 
time hanging heavy on their hands, so they formed 
a secret club called the Kiiklos, or Circle. One form 
of entertainment in which they indulged was to dis- 
guise themselves and ride about the country at night. 
Man and horse were sheeted; the man wore a mask 
and a cardboard hat, and the horse's feet were muffled. 
Flashing along the moonlit road, their ghostlike 
figures startled the ignorant and superstitious negroes 
huddling in their cabins. At first, the whole thing was 
just a boyish prank. But before long the white men 
of the South recognized that here was a way to keep 
the negroes in order and to punish people whom they 



THE KU-KLUX-KLAN 229 

suspected of wrongdoing. The organization spread 
from state to state, and became known as the In- 
visible Empire of the South, or the Ku-Klux-Klan. 
Their purpose, they declared, was ''to protect the 
weak, innocent, and defenseless from the indignities, 
wrongs, and outrages of the lawless, the violent, and 
the brutal." 

In time, however, conditions greatly improved. 
The Union troops were withdrawn, the capable men 
of the South gained control, and order was restored. 

Fortunately, the sad picture of the South at the 
close of the war was not repeated in the North. Ex- 
cept for Gettysburg and the battles in the border states, 
no important fighting had been done on Union soil. 
The people of the North had not suffered the spoiling 
and plundering of their homes by invading armies. 
Yet they had heavy sorrows. They had been borne 
down with grief over the brave who had fallen at the 
front — and these numbered awful thousands. There 
were thousands more in the field, sick and wounded, 
who might never see their homes again. 

There were other thousands of able-bodied men 

who were now to lay down their arms. What a vast 

number they were! In May, 1865, the 

combined Union armies of the East and ^^^ ^^ ^°^ 

the army 

West marched through the avenues of 
Washington with glittering guns and battle-scarred 
flags. The columns extended thirty miles. It took 
nearly two whole days for them to pass in review. 



230 



RECOXSTRUCTIOX 



These were the men who had been for months or even 
vears bus\- in the work of destruction. Now tliev 




were to return 
to the labors of peace. — to 
the office, to the forge, to 
the farm. — and once again 
take up the work that they 
had put aside for war. This 

they did with as good courage as the>- had shown on 
the field, and the "old soldier" was soon quietly at- 
tending to his new duties. 

There was yet another burden. The government 



The review of the Union soldiers 
in Washington 



THE DEBT 231 

had gone deeply into debt to carry on the war. This 
meant heavv taxes. Long years passed 

, • , ,-r , • f The debt 

before the burden was htted — m fact, 

we are still pa>ing out money on account of the war 

of a half-centur\^ ago. But there was little complaint 

over the size of the debt. The Union had been 

preser\'ed, and the people were as ready to pay the 

price in money as they had been to pay it in men. 

An annoying thing connected with the money prob- 
lem was that gold and silver became scarce. Vari- 
ous substitutes were used for siher coins. Postage 
stamps came into use as "small change." They were 
better than nothing, but they were flimsy and sticky. 
The government came to the rescue by printing small- 
sized paper money for fractions of a dollar. Even 
these were inconvenient to handle, and every one was 
glad enough when, some ten years later, coins again 
took their place. 

The war brought upon us two difficulties with 
foreign nations. Our neighbors in Mexico had been 
haxing a civil war of their own, beginning j^g Monroe 
in 1857. Four years later England, Doctrine in 
France, and Spain interfered in order to Mexico 
protect their citizens who were in danger there. The 
three nations agreed that they would not take sides as 
to who should be the ruler of Mexico. France, how- 
ever, broke this agreement. Napoleon III thought 
that the United States was now too bus\- with its own 
troubles to enforce the Monroe Doctrine. So he sent 



232 RECONSTRUCTION 

an army into Mexico and put his friend, Maximilian 
of Austria, on the throne. The United States pro- 
tested, but could do nothing more until after the close 
of our war. Then troops were massed on the frontier, 
and the French soldiers prudently withdrew. 

The second matter turned out to be a triumph for 
arbitration. That is, instead of settling it by war, 
the two nations agreed to submit their 
disputes to outsiders. The disagreement 
was with England over help she had given 
the Confederates. England had declared that she 
would remain neutral; that is, she would not take 
sides in the war. Despite this, she had allowed 
warships built in her yards to be sold to the Con- 
federacy. The chief of them was the cruiser Alabama. 
The United States claimed that England ought to pay 




The Alabam.i pursuing a northern ship 



for the damage these ships had done. Five commis- 
sioners were appointed, each by the ruler of a different 
nation, to consider the case. They met in Geneva, 



THE ALABAMA CLAIMS 233 

Switzerland, and decided the dispute against England, 
who was required to pay the United States several 
million dollars. Wc have reason to be proud of this 
achievement, not because we won our point, but be- 
cause it was a victory for the peaceful settlement of 
differences. 

FOR CAREFUL STUDY 

The rejoicing of the people over the ending of the 
war was turned to sorrow by the assassination of 
Lincoln, in April, 1865. His assassin was shot while 
resisting capture. Lincoln was succeeded by Andrew 
Johnson. He and the statesmen about him had before 
them a very perplexing problem, that of reconstructing 
the Union. 

The war had settled the slavery question forever. 
The settlement was written into the Constitution by 
the Thirteenth Amendment. This was followed by 
two amendments giving the former slaves citizenship 
and the right to vote. The Federal government 
formed the Freedmen's Bureau to help the negroes 
take care of themselves in their new-found freedom. 

The Southern states were for a time managed by 
military governors appointed by the Federal govern- 
ment. In a few years all were given back their state- 
hood and readmitted to the Union. 

While this was going on, other problems at home 
and abroad were being settled satisfactorily. The 
armies were disbanded, and the men returned without 
confusion to their work at home. The debt, though 
heavy, has been cheerfully borne and constantly re- 
duced in amount. 



234 RECONSTRUCTION 

As to foreign affairs, we had to restate the Monroe 
Doctrine to France, who had been interfering in 
Mexico. When we showed that we were in earnest, 
France withdrew from that country. We also had 
claims against England for certain aid which she had 
given the Confederacy. A commission of arbitration 
went over the matter and decided it in our favor. 

FACT TO BE MEMORIZED 

The Civil War resulted in the abolition of slavery and the 
reunion of the states. 



CHAPTER XII 

THE GREAT WEST 

• 

The Civil War was over, but the American people 

could not forget that they owed a heavy debt to their 

valiant defenders. Many who had risked 

their all in that terrible struggle were ^P" '*^^" 

^^ . Presidents 

rewarded with public office. The highest 
honor in the gift of the people came to several of the 
leaders who had fought and sufTered in the war. 
Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Harrison, and McKinley — ■ 
all Republicans — were elected to the presidency. 
And these men came neither from the old North nor 
from the old South, but from the newer West. All 
were born in Ohio, one of the states carved out of the 
great Northwest Territory that was organized at the 
close of the Revolution. How that region was settled 
and how it furnished Presidents is all part of a won- 
derful story of progress. 

We recall that Columbus and the other early 
explorers were seeking a western passage. They 
found, instead, a new western continent. 
Thither people flocked by thousands. ^ ^" 

^ '^ ■' movement 

Presently our country was settled along 

its eastern coast and as far west as the Allegheny 

235 



236 THE GREAT WEST 

Mountains. The next movement was across these 
mountains to the Mississippi. Then the vast Loui- 
siana Territory gave us a new western boundary, and 
the pioneer pushed his way into the fertile plains 
beyond the river. Farther on was a region of desola- 
tion known as the Great American Desert, and 
beyond it rose the lofty Rockies. For a while these 
obstacles seemed to say to the pioneer, "Stop! You 
can go no further!" But he conquered the desert 
and the mountains, and succeeded in reaching the 
Pacific. 

It was nearly four centuries before the western coast 
of our continent was thus settled. There are many 
reasons why it took so long. We who journey by 
swiftly moving electric car, fast speeding train, or 
palatial steamer, find it difificult to imagine travel 
without these means. But the pioneer who left the 
English colonies in the early eighteenth century and 
made his way across the Allegheny Mountains usually 
went afoot. He carried his possessions on his back, 
and relied on his rifle and ax for food and protection. 
Sometimes he had the aid of a pack horse or a saddle 
horse. Sometimes he went by water, for "the early 
emigrant learned that a raft would eat nothing, that 
a boat ran well down stream." So, many of our fore- 
fathers put their goods on rafts or on fiatboats and 
floated down the streams that flowed south and south- 
west. Traveling by these means, they reached and 
settled what they called the "West." 



THE WESTWARD MOVEMENT 237 

With the in\ention of the steamboat the pioneer 
no longer needed to depend on the raft or flatboat. 



-:^^%^*d5l^^^A%fc^, 



^'' 




More tlian this, he was now able to go not only with 
the current, but up stream as well. Thus was opened 
for settlement an ever increasing area. But to cross 
the dry plains and the Rocky Mountains, the faithful 
horse again had to be called into service. 

The early western life of our country bred many 
heroes. Indeed every man and every woman, every 
boy and every girl, who took part in the work of the 
pioneers was of necessity brave and dauntless. 

The way across the Alleghenies into Kentucky was 

led by Daniel Boone in 1769. From his home in 

North Carolina, with a few companions, 

, , , . 1111 Daniel Boone 

he crossed the mountams and blazed a 

trail through the dark forests to the fair land beyond. 
The country was the hunting ground of many red 
men. For this reason the njute was beset with 
danger. There was no knowing where the dark- 
skinned forms might be hiding. Many a night the 
pioneers slept in hollow trees. Many a cheery camp- 



238 THE GREAT WEST 

fire they were forced to abandon, driven away by 
prowling savages. 

Boone returned East, but he made the trip again 
several times. On each expedition he took a larger 
number of people with him. The path that he made 
was given several names: " Boone's Trail," the " Ken- 
tucky Road," the "Wilderness Road." As the way 
into the new country became more and more safe, 
signs such as the following were frequently posted : 

Notice 
"A large company will meet at Crab Orchard 
the 19th of November in order to start the next 
day through the Wilderness. As it is very danger- 
ous on account of the Indians, it is hoped each 
person will go well armed." 

The progress of the people across the great American 
continent has been compared to a "series of rolling 
waves, one passing ever on beyond the 
other." Let us look into the childhood 
home of Abraham Lincoln. There we see a family 
that, like many others, was being borne along on this 
tide. In the fall of 18 16 Abraham's father packed his 
few household goods on two borrowed horses, stowed 
the children among the bundles, and with his wife by 
his side, started on foot from Kentucky for a new home 
in Indiana. 

Arriving at the Ohio, the horses were unloaded and 
sent back. On the other side of the river the load was 
piled into a hired wagon and pulled to the new home. 



PIONEER LIFE 239 

Home! What an odd name to gi\e that cold bleak 
waste — for carpets, fallen leaves; and for walls, tall, 
straight trees whose bare intertwining branches formed 
the only roof. 

A rude structure of logs was hastily put together. 
The father cut down the trees, the mother helped to 
trim them, and little Abraham and his sister added 
their strength when it came to putting the logs in 
place. Heaps of dry leaves served as beds, and as 
there was no chimney, the fire had to be built outside 
the cabin. It was a hard struggle that first winter 
just to keep alive. Each had his share of the labor. 
The little ones gathered brushwood for the fire and 
walked a mile to get water, trudging the long way back 
with their heavy burdens. Not one of the family 
possessed a pair of shoes. Clumsy homemade mocas- 
sins were not much protection from the biting sleet 
and snow of winter. 

The following year a better shelter was put up. 
This one was about eighteen feet square, with a real 
chimney, so that a fire might be built indoors. A 
deerskin served as a door, but there were no windows. 
A rough table and some odd three-legged chairs were 
constructed. We may wonder how they managed to 
sleep in the crude beds. The boy's bed was in an 
upper part of the cabin which formed a sort of loft. 
Each night he climbed to his sleeping place by a stair- 
way of pegs driven into the side of the wall. No roads 
led to the house, only a blazed trail through the woods. 



240 



Tm: GREAT WEST 



The new home was a great improvement on the old, 
yet how wretched it seems to us. 

The early pioneers bought little of their food and 
clothing, for it was usually many miles to the nearest 
store. They shot turkeys and deer for meat, and 
fashioned their garments out of deerskin. They made 
their bread of corn meal, and gathered wild berries 
for a dessert. Only strong bodies and brave spirits 
lived through the hardships of this life. It is to these 
dauntless pioneers and their sons and daughters that 
our country owes its forward march to better things. 

In 1826 the tide of migration had crossed the 
Mississippi and moved up the Missouri as far as the 
Kansas River. Here it was 
stopped by what was then 
known as the Great American 
Desert. At that time, west of the 
Mississippi, there were just two 
states, Missouri and Louisiana, 
and one territory, Arkansas. 

It remained for Kit Carson, 

the last and perhaps the greatest 

of western pit)neers, 
Kit Carson , , , ., 

to blaze the trail on 

to the Pacific. Christopher 

Carson was born in the same 

year and in the same state as 

Abraham Lincoln. He, however, had little use for 

books, so his father set him to learn a trade. But 




A pioneer 



KIT CARSON 241 

the boy had listened to the thrilHng tales of the hunt- 
ers and trappers who came in from the mysterious 
land of the setting sun. He could not sit quietly on 
a high stool and learn to make saddles. So he ran 
away. The Missouri Intelligencer, a weekly news- 
j)aper, published this notice on October 12, 1826: 

"Notice is hereby given to all persons that 
Christopher Carson, a boy about sixteen years old, 
small for his age, but thick-set, with light hair, 
ran away from the subscriber, living in Franklin, 
Howard County, Missouri, to whom he had been 
bound to learn the saddler's trade, on or about the 
1st of September last. He is supposed to have 
made his way to the upper part of the state. All 
persons are notified not to harbor, support, or assist 
said boy, under penalty of the law. One cent 
reward will be given to any person who will bring 
back the said boy." 

Sometimes as hunter, sometimes as teamster. Kit 

Carson made his way from the Missouri River to the 

Sacramento, from the Gulf of California 

Fremont 
far north to the Columbia. In 1842 he 

met Lieutenant Fremont and his party on the Missis- 
sippi. Fremont had i)een sent b\' the United States 
government to cross the Rockies and explore the 
region beyond. Carson joined the party and became 
their official guide. On this and later. Fremont ex- 
peditions Carson rendered great service. That he did 
his work well is shown by the fact that when the great 



242 THE GREAT WEST 

railroads connecting the East and West were laid, they 
often followed the old Fremont trails. 

Carson was a trail maker, but he was also a peace- 
maker. The farther west the white man pushed, the 
closer he crowded his red brother. And the red man 
fought. He now possessed gun and pony, and used 
them with his own peculiar cunning. He could slip 
from the saddle, cling to its side, and thus, with his 
own body well protected, fire many a death-dealing 
shot. Carson knew the red man well. Not only 
could he bring peace between Indian and white, but 
he was so well acquainted with Indian nature, that 
the braves often called upon him to settle disputes 
among themselves. It has been said that Carson was 
better than a regiment of cavalry. Withal, he was 
modest and unassuming, and shrank from praise. An 
army officer who once met him, exclaimed, "So this 
is the distinguished Kit Carson, who made so many 
Indians run." Carson replied, "Yes, I made some 
Indians run, but much of the time they were running 
after me." 

In January, 1848, a discovery was made in Cali- 
fornia which drew many people westward. In the 
valley of a branch of the Sacramento a 

^°lt ^°- bit of yellow metal glistened in the bed 

California ■' 

of a mill stream. It called to the people 

of the East, and by tens of thousands they answered 

the call. 

A man named Marshall first spied the precious 



GOLD li\ CALIFORNIA 243 

metal. "1 reached my hand down and pulled it up," 
he says, "it made my heart thump, for I was certain 
it was gold." The largest particles were about the 
size of a grain of wheat. Marshall gathered a spoon- 
ful and tested it. He hammered it and found that 
it yielded to pressure. Then he tried it in fire, and 
found that it did not soon melt or change color. He 
put it through several other tests, and at last was 
convinced that it was gold. More and more of the 
bright metal was found in the neighborhood. Every 
one dropped other work to hunt for it. The news of 
the discovery leaped from settlement to settlement, 
from state to state. The people went gold crazy. 

All over the country eager thousands vied with each 
other to reach the land of promise. For the Easterner 
there were two routes, — o\'erland, and by w^ater 
around Cape Horn. Those who could afford it went 
by water. All sorts of crazy craft were called into 
service, but so eager were the venturesome to be first 
on the field, that sailing masters got whatever prices 
they asked. 

Travel across the continent was much cheaper, so 
the poorer people went in this way. Sometimes whole 
families packed their household goods into a wagon 
and set off, taking their animals with them. Often 
just the men went, but always ihey traveled in great 
numbers. Many were so eager to be off that they 
were not properly prepared for so trying a journey. 
There were rough trails where the wagons overturned, 



244 



THE GREAT WEST 



on the plains great droves of buffalo muddied the 
waters of the springs and there were weary stretches 
of barren land, where the thirsty travelers would have 
given up all the gold in the world for one drink of 
water. It is said that in 1849 the overland route was 
marked by broken-down wagons, dead animals, and 
the graves of those who had fallen by the way. 

Yet very many reached the gold fields. There a 
new and curious life awaited them. San Francisco 




San Francisco, shortly after the discovery of gold in California 

was a city of tents. Men slept on the floors, on 
tables, — anywhere. The harbor was filled with ves- 
sels, whose crews had joined the ranks of the gold 
seekers. There were no sailors to take the ships back 
to the home ports; one of the ships became the first 
jail of the town; others rotted away and fell to pieces. 



GOLD IN CALIFORNIA 245 

Men from many walks of life met and worked 
together. And there seemed to be gold for all. In 
forty 3'ears California yielded more than a billion 
dollars worth of gold! It was not uncommon in the 
early days for one man to take out $1000 in one 
day, — and sometimes the amount reached $5000. 
Prices soared skyward. For example, flour brought 
fifty dollars a barrel, a spade ten, a shirt forty, a candle 
three. So simple a meal as a cup of coffee, a slice of 
ham and two eggs cost three dollars, and yet the cafes 
were crowded from morning until night. 

Most of the fortune hunters were young, vigorous, 
and law-abiding men. In September, 1849, they met 
to form a constitution, and, as we have learned, 
by the Compromise of 1850 California was admitted 
as a state. 

One of the arguments against admitting Cali- 
fornia was its great distance from Washington. How, 
people questioned, will its Congressmen ever get to 
the capital? They must spend all their time travel- 
ing, and the journey is too dangerous. But in 1862 
Congress granted several companies land for building 
railroads across the continent. 

The first of these great transcontinental railroads 
was built by two companies, one working westward 
from Omaha, and the other eastward from pj^st trans- 
Sacramento. The workmen lived in continental 
trains, running them forward as mile after railroad 
mile of the road was completed. Progress was slow. 



246 



THE GREAT WEST 



Sandy plains and rugged mountainsides had to be 
overcome. The A\'orkmen were well armed. Even 
so, it was occasionally necessary to detail troops to 
guard them. For the Indians "hovered about like 
vultures. ' ' The Sioux and others lay in wait to destroy 
the work as fast as it was completed. But despite 
all the difficulties the two lines finally met at Ogden, 




A train passing through a herd of buffaloes 



Utah, Here, with much ceremony, the last tie was 
laid. It was a piece of California laurel beautifully 
polished and bearing a silver plate on which were en- 
graved the names of the officers of the road. The 
rails were fastened to it with two spikes of gold and 
two of silver. These were driven into place by Gov- 
ernor Stanford of California and the general manager 
of the railroad. As Governor Stanford, with his silver 
hammer, dealt the blows, they were recorded by tele- 
graph all over the country. At the last stroke the 



ENGINEERING PROBLEMS 247 

word " done " was flashed along the wires. Not many 

years later other roads were built across the continent 

to the north and to the south of this. 

One man who rendered a large service to the Great 

West was Captain James B. Eads, an engineer. 

Across the Mississippi, at St. Louis, he ^ ^ . „ ^ 
^^ Captain Eads 

built a steel bridge that was the marvel 
of its day. A few years later he gained new fame 
by his work at the mouth of this important river. 
By building out false banks, called jetties, he forced 
the river to move more swiftly. This carried farther 
out to sea the huge deposits of mud that had for 
many years prevented the passage of large steamers. 
The money for this immense undertaking was sup- 
plied by Congress, and it was four years before the 
work was completed. Finally, in 1879, it became 
possible for the largest steamers of the day to make 
their way to New Orleans, and the commerce of the 
great river made rapid gains. 

The railroads and steamships had brought the West 
many days nearer to the crowded East. The old dan- 
gers of travel across the continent were no more. A 
great many people were attracted to the new West. 
Nebraska particularly rejoiced over having a railroad 
that connected her with the outside world. Now she 
had a larger market for the products of her fertile 
soil. New settlers came in great numbers, and in 
1867 she was admitted as a state. Other western 
states grew rapidly. This was largely due to wise 



248 THE GREAT WEST 

laws passed by Congress, one of which was the 

Homestead Act of 1862. By it the head of any family 

might claim a plot of land, from eighty 

Homestead Act ^ , , , • rr , i- 1 

to one hundred sixty acres, it he lived 

on it and cultivated it for five years it became his 
property. Thus, in a remarkably short period, mil- 
lions of acres west of the Mississippi were taken over 
and made to yield luxuriantly. 

The government contributed in another way to 

western development. In 1862 it created a new 

division in its Department of the Interior, 

Department of ^^^^^^ ^^^ g^^^^^ ^^ Agriculture. Later 

Agriculture 

this bureau was made an independent 
department. It introduces into the country new and 
desirable seeds and plants. It issues bulletins that 
contain valuable information for the farmer. These 
reach the men who may be too poor to buy books, 
and too far away from libraries to borrow them. It 
is this department, too, that sends out weather reports 
and gives warning of coming storms. 

The discovery of gold in California suggested that 
the precious metal might also be hidden in the Rocky 
Mountains. It was not long before this was proved 
to be so. In 1859 gold was found in the country 
about Pikes Peak. Here was a region easier to reach 
than California, and a sudden rush to the new gold 
fields followed. It is said that one hundred thousand 
people came in one year. White-covered wagons 
were used in crossing the plains. On many of them 



AD^VriSSTON OF NEW STATES 249 

was printed In huge black letters "Pike's Peak or 
Bust." 

Towns sprang up as if a magician had waved his 
wand over the land. Among them were Boulder, 
Pueblo, and Denver. Denver was con- 
nected by railroad with the Union Pacific. °°'^^ ^ ^^ 
•' _ other states 

In 1876 Colorado was admitted as a 
state. In tlic great Northwest the growth was even 
more marvelous. During the next twenty years seven 
commonwealths were taken into the growing sister- 
hood of states. These were North Dakota, South 
Dakota, Montana, and Washington, in 1889; Idaho 
and Wyoming, in 1890; and Utah, in 1896. 

As the early fortune hunter pushed his way west- 
ward, he came constantly in contact with the Indians. 
In many cases the red men proved 
friendly. jBut if one brave were insulted j^°" ^.^ ^^ 
it meant re\^enge on the first whites to 
appear, whether they were guilty or innocent. The 
national government allotted to the Indians certain 
areas known as reservations. The Indians were ex- 
pected to keep within their limits, but they did not 
always do so. Having once roamed wherever they 
would, it is not strange that they sometimes grew 
weary of their restricted quarters and sallied forth 
on raiding expeditions. This, of course, angered the 
frontier settler. Yet he, in turn, did not always 
respect the Indian's territory. If the reservation 
attracted him he often slipped across its borders. 



2SO 



THE CREAT WEST 



The red man and the white man were in constant 

friction. One of the most terrible encounters took 

place in 1876. The Sioux, led by Sitting 

Custer ^ ' , 

Bull, had been extremely troublesome on 
their Montana reservation. General Sheridan was 
sent to quell the uprising. The Indians were located 

at Little Big Horn 
River, and General 
Custer, a bold cav- 
alryman, was ordered 
forward to hold them 
in check until the 
entire forces should 
arrive. With the reck- 
less daring that made 
him a most pictur- 
esque figure, General 
Custer made a head- 
long attack. But he 
and his five companies 
rode into a death trap. 
The red men, who were almost three thousand in 
number, surged upon them with savage ferocity. 
The troopers fought with desperate bravery but 
against overwhelming odds. Of all that gallant band 
numbering two hundred sixty, not one escaped. 
Only Custer's horse and a half-breed rider survived. 
The horse was found several miles from the battlefield, 
his body bearing seven bullet wounds. The faithful 




Sitting Bull 



CUSTER AND SITTING BULL 251 

charger was never again ridden and a soldier was 
detailed to care for him for the rest of his life. 

This encounter was followed by many in which the 
Indians were beaten and forced to return to their 
reservations. Several hundreds, under Sitting Bull, 
went to Canada, where they remained for four years. 
Ten years later Sitting Bull, claiming that his people 
had not been treated fairly by the government, again 
led them in an uprising. General Miles waged war 
upon them. Sitting Bull met his end, and within a 
year four thousand Indians surrendered. Since that 
time the Indians have given no serious trouble. In 
fact, large numbers of them are to-day taking part 
in the white man's civilization. They are like him in 
dress, in manners, in home life, in occupations. Like 
him they aspire to do their share of the world's work. 

The great West means to us usually the lands 
between the Mississippi and the Pacific. Yet the 
possessions of the United States reach 
northwest even beyond the Arctic Circle. .. , 
In 1867 the United States purchased 
Alaska from Russia for $7,200,000. Most people 
thought we had made a bad bargain, but we soon 
learned that the country is rich in furs, fisheries, and 
mines. In the summer of 1897 there came a wonder- 
ful story of Alaska's golden treasure. During the 
previous fall some forty experienced miners had gone 
into the region of the Yukon River. They had taken 
their working outfit and a little money. They came 



252 THE GREAT WEST 

out with a half-million dollars worth of gold and they 
had staked claims that were to yield them even greater 
wealth. The most productive region was in Canada, 
along the Klondike River, a tributary of the Yukon. 

Vast numbers of people were attracted to the new 
gold fields. They led quite a different life from the 
"forty-niners" of California or the "fifty-niners" of 
Colorado. There is neither springtime nor autumn 
in northern Alaska, and the summer season is but four 
months long. By the first of October it is winter, 
after which outdoor work is impossible. And winter 
in Alaska means snow, ice, and often great suffering. 
Yet even women braved the dangers. Through per- 
severance and against hardships, many fortunes were 
found in the once despised territory. 

During this period of Western extension events were 

not, of course, at a standstill in other and older parts 

of the country. A year before the acqui- 
Atlantic cable . . r ^ i i a 

sition of Alaska, an American invention 

had secured a new command of the ocean. Tele- 
graphic wires under water had been for some time in 
successful use between Manhattan Island and Gov- 
ernor's Island in New York Bay. To stretch a sub- 
marine cable from America to Europe would be a far 
more difficult feat. Nevertheless, there was one 
American, Cyrus Field, who felt sure it could be 
done. Fortunately, many business men agreed with 
him and a company was formed. The governments 
of Great Britain and the United States gave liberal 



ATLANTIC CABLE 253 

aid, furnishing the vessels for laying the big cables. 
In 1857 two ships left Ireland, each carrying twelve 
hundred fifty miles of cable. All went well for three 
days. Then suddenly the cable parted. 




.^^ 



Laying the Atlantic cable 



This failure seemed like a national calamity. The 
vessels returned with flags at half mast. Though a 
half-million dollars had been spent, more money was 
secured and another trial was made the next year. 
This time the vessels sailed to mid-ocean, and there the 
two parts of the cable were spliced. Then one sailed 
east and the other west, each laying its cable as it went. 
At Ireland and at Newfoundland the ends of the cable 
were connected with the instruments. Under the 
water the message went singing, "Europe and America 
are united by telegraph. Glory to God in the highest, 
on earth peace, good will toward men." 

But there was yet further disappointment in store. 
Eighteen days later the cable refused to work. Once 
more discouragement and ruin confronted Field, but 
he was not daunted. In July, 1866, another cable 
was laid. This time it proved permanently successful. 



254 THE GREAT WEST 

Now many hundreds of cables lie hidden in the ocean 
deeps. Business messages and messages of good will 
fly back and forth, and we are kept informed as to 
what our foreign cousins are doing from day to day. 
While in these and countless other ways men were 
conquering nature, here and there her forces were 
showing their power to destroy. In 1871 

Chicago fire , "" r , • r /, • 

a large part of the city of Chicago was 
swept by a dreadful fire that raged forty-eight hours. 
It broke out at night, caused, it is supposed, by a cow 
kicking over an oil lamp. Day and night it burned, 
eating its way unmercifully from one part of the city 
to another, destroying as many as seventeen thousand 
buildings. Many people were killed by falling tim- 
bers. Others lost their lives in the mad rush to get 
away from burning and toppling houses. Almost one 
hundred thousand were made homeless. Fully two 
hundred lives were lost. Yet within two years a new 
and finer Chicago had risen over the blackened ground 
of the tragedy. 

In the following year fire swept through Boston, 
causing a loss of millions of dollars. This fire, too, be- 
gan in the evening, starting just how no 
one knows. Until four in the afternoon 
of the next day it blazed almost unchecked. The fire 
department was crippled because of an epidemic that 
had seized the horses of the city. All through the 
night business men carried such goods as they could 
to places of safety. Fire departments from neighbor- 



GREAT DISASTERS 



255 



ing towns hastened to give their services. They needed 
no message to call them. The sky for sixty miles 
inland told the dreadful story. Chicago, remember- 
ing how Boston had helped her, sent this message, 
"We will share with you whatever we have left." 
But Boston had already begun to stand up under her 
adversity. Merchants were busy selling their goods 
in hotel parlors and dining rooms. Temporary build- 
ings were hastily erected, and soon Boston was herself 
again. 

Fire is not the only force that nature uses in laying 
low the work of man. At times the very earth itself 
rocks and shivers. Even the early records 
of the colonies speak of earthquakes. 
One of the severest took place in 1755, 
when the coast was shaken for a thousand mile 



Charleston 
earthquake 



and 




A street in Charleston after the earthquake 



in Boston hundreds of houses were damaged. In 1886 
Charleston was devastated by an earthquake which 



256 THE GREAT WEST 

destroyed three fourths of the city and cost the li\es 

of scores of people. 

In 1889 the city of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was 

wrecked by flood. An unusually heavy rain caused 

the dam, eighteen miles above the city, 

Jo ns own ^^ break. Within seven minutes the rag- 
flood ^ _ 

ing waters reached the city. Mounting 

higher and higher, they swept houses and people away. 
A survivor tells of the horror of seeing stately build- 
ings fall, and of seeing neighbors borne along on the 
wave, sometimes to be crushed to death against a 
broken wall, sometimes to be engulfed in the rushing 
waters. Several thousand people perished, and the 
survivors were threatened with starvation. In a sur- 
prisingly short time help in generous measure came 
flowing in. The same courage that led the Pilgrims 
and Puritans to the bleak shores of New England fired 
the hearts of these ruined people. They turned from 
the past to build a new and better future. 

Before going on to the next period in our history we 
must glance over the political situation of these days. 

As the Civil War receded further and 
Political r ^1 • ^ ^1 

further into the past, new issues came 

questions ^ ... 

into the politics of the nation. Questions 
about war and reconstruction gave way to questions 
of policy in time of peace. 

One of the subjects on which opinions differed, and 
differ still, is the tariff. Some would have a high 
tariff, believing that it makes wages higher and 



DOMESTIC AFFAIRS 257 

leads to prosperity. Others would ha\'e no tariff at 
all, but free trade, allowing every one to buy from 
any country without paying duty. Still ^ .^ 
Others would collect only such duties as 
would yield taxes enough to support the government ; 
that is, a tariff for revenue only. 

Another issue is civil service reform. The old 
practice started by Jackson of giving the victorious 
party all the offices was seen to have bad 

, . Civil service 

effects. There are thousands of positions 
under the government, such as those of clerks' and 
letter carriers, that demand training. When men 
have gained this training, it is not fair to them or good 
for the service to put them out of office because they 
happened to vote the losing ticket in an election. 

With these and many other new issues coming to 
the front, the people came to depend less upon the 
heroes of the war to lead them in politics. General 
Grant served two terms, and was followed by two other 
generals, Hayes and Garfield. 

Garfield served but a short while. F'or a second 
time the pages of our history were stained b}^ an 
assassin. Within four months after his inauguration 
Garfield was shot by a disappointed office-seeker. 
The wounded President lingered on through the 
summer, but it was impossible to save his life. 

Garfield was succeeded by Vice President Arthur, 
who was not a warrior, but a lawyer. He was a hearty 
believer in civil service reform. During his presi- 



258 THE GREAT WEST 

dcncy the Civil Service Act was passed. It closed 
certain government positions to all but those who 
passed an examination, and forbade the removal of 
employees on account of their politics. 

The next President was another lawyer, Grover 
Cleveland, the first Democrat to be elected in over a 
quarter of a century. Cleveland has the distinction of 
being the only President to serve two separate terms. 
He was three times a candidate, but the second time 
was defeated by Benjamin Harrison. Cleveland's 
defeat was due largely to the fact that he boldly stated 
his views on the tariff. He believed that the tariff 
should be lowered. In course of time more people 
agreed with him, and he was returned to his high office. 

Not all the political questions of these years were 
concerning home affairs. Several important events 
affected our foreign relations. We shall 
g'^^*^" speak of two. In 1893 a matter that had 

been for a long time under dispute be- 
tween the United States and England, was finally 
settled. It involved our rights over seal hunters in 
the waters about Alaska. It was decided partly 
against us and partly in our favor. The other matter 
concerned us because it threatened a violation of 
our Monroe Doctrine. For years the boundary line 
between V^enezuela and British Guiana had been 
under dispute. Upon the appeal of President 
Cleveland England agreed to submit the subject 
to arbitration. 



FOREIGN AFFAIRS 259 

Both these instances helped to show the nations of 
the world how much better it is to arbitrate disputes 
than to settle them by wasteful warfare. And yet the 
very next chapter in our history finds us engaged in 
deadly conflict with a foreign nation. 

FOR CAREFUL STUDY 

The period following the Civil War was chiefly 
remarkable for the amazing development of the coun- 
try west of the Mississippi. Although settlement had 
been going on for years, there had been certain marked 
movements of people westward. 

The first of these followed the close of the War of 
18 12. The second was the result of the discovery of 
gold in California in 1848 and in the Rocky Mountains 
in 1859. 

Now a third movement came at the close of the 
Civil War, when the old soldiers, and others, were 
encouraged to go west by the Homestead Act, which 
gave land to home-builders. The pioneering stage 
was about over. The early trails had developed 
into substantial roadways. The Atlantic and the 
Pacific coasts were now connected by a through line 
of railroad. 

Throughout all the years of settlement, the ground 
was disputed by the Indians, but there were few of 
them compared with the host of white men who 
claimed the land. The Indians broke forth in occa- 
sional uprisings, but were each time defeated and 
compelled to live within the reservations allotted to 
them. 



26o 



THE GREAT WEST 



Thus were developed great states throughout the 
West, and one after another the>- were admitted into 
the Union. The United States extended its territory 
even be\-ond these states by purchasing from Russia 
for the sum of $7,200,000. the extensive region of 
Alaska in the far north. 






T 



^ t«. 




SCALE C «11.ES 



States w«st ot the Mississippi 



The Struggle with nature took man>- forms besides 
the conflicts in pioneering. Lofty bridges were built 



N.\rUA AL r. ROW 111 201 

i\cro>> turbulont ri\ ors. Loxtvs wore Iniill at the 
mouth ot the Mi^^sissippi so that laii;o ships could 
carr\- tlio growing coininorco. rinio was iioarl\- auui- 
liilated when Cyrus Field gained tor America the honor 
of hi^nng the tirst ocean cable across the Atlantic. 

C^n the other hand, disaster came in \arious forms. 
Chicago and Boston sutTeretl hea\ >• losses from fire. 
Charleston was wrecked b\- an earthquake. Johns- 
town was torn to pieces b\- a liood. 

In politics, diu'ing the period fi^lKnxing the Ci\il 
\\'ar. the taritT. civil service reform, and other issues 
replaced those growing out of the war. The Presi- 
dents from i86g to igoi were, in succession: Grant. 
Hayes, (lartield. Arthur, Cleveland. Harrison. Cleve- 
land. McKinley. Cleveland was a Democrat; all the 
others were Republicans. 

Cle\"eland. in \igorous language, stated the Monroe 
Doctrine to England in the matter of her relations 
with Wnezuela. This and other differences were 
settled by arbitration. 

FACTS TO BE MEMORIZED 

Gold was discovered in California in 1848. 
Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867. 

BlBLIOOR.\PHY 

Boonf. — Bouve: American Heroes and Heroines. 

Holland: Historic Boyhoods. 

Morris: Historioil Tales. 

Roosevelt and Lodge: Hero Tales. 

Tappan: American Hero Stories. 
Carson. — Bouve: American Heroes and Heroines. 

Tap{un: American Hero Stories. 



262 THE GREAT WEST 

Custer. — Custer: The Boy General. 

Charleston. — Southern Stories Retold from St. Nicholas. 

Field. — ■ Lane: Triumphs of Science. 

Mowry: American Inventions and Inventors. 
Gold. — Wright: Children's Stories of American Progress. 

General. — Bass: Stories of Pioneer Life. 

Drake: Making of the Great West. 

Garland: Boy Life on the Prairie. 

Kingsley: Westward Ho! 




Stood shoulder to shoulder in salute ' 



CHAPTER XIII 

EXPANSION 

"Battleship Maine blown up in Havana harbor! 

260 lives lost!" These were the flaming headlines 

borne by the morning papers of February 

^ o o A ^ r 1 ^ Destruction of 

16, 1898. A tremor or horror swept over th yW / 

the country as the people realized the 
sudden and awful death into which their loyal sailors 
had been hurled. In addition, there was the sus- 
picion that Spain was in some way responsible for 
the disaster. 

Even before this happened, the Americans had been 
indignant toward Spain. The people of Cuba were in 
revolt against the Spanish government, 

. ^ ^ Cuban revolt 

and their misfortunes aroused keen sym- 
pathy. For the previous fifteen years the island of 
Cuba had suffered greatly from Spanish misrule. 
From time to time the Cubans had rebelled, only to 
be subdued again with increased cruelty. In 1895, 
driven to desperation, they set up a government of 
their own and declared their independence. 

Spain made General Weyler military governor of 
Cuba. Under him the Cubans suffered far more than 
the ordinary hardships of warfare. Peaceful work- 
263 



264 EXPANSION 

men were slain on their way to labor. Many a man, 
returning at nightfall, found his wife and children gone 
and his home in ashes. Most horrible of all, crowds 
of peasants were driven from their homes and herded 
in towns, where many died of fever or starvation. The 
American newspapers were filled with stories of Cuban 
sufferings, and the magazines printed pictures of 
starving children. Such conditions at our very door- 
step pulled mightily on our heartstrings. 

The battleship Maine had been sent to Havana 
harbor as a refuge for any of our citizens who might 
The United t)e endangered by the Cuban revolution. 
States takes Examination showed that its destruction 
action \-y^f^ been caused by the explosion of a 

mine under water. That this could happen was one 




more proof that Spain was unable to maintain order 
in Cuba. 

Congress took prompt action. On April 20, 1898, 
Spain was ordered to give up Cuba and to remove all 
her forces from the Island. President McKinley sent 



DECLARATION OF WAR 265 

a special message to Congress, saying: " In the name 
of humanity, in the name of civilization, in behalf of 
endangered American interests, which give us the 
right and the duty to speak and act, the war in Cuba 
must stop." America then began war in defense of 
her suffering neighbor. This youthful nation gave 
of its robust strength to protect the weak and 
oppressed. 

Spain was in a trying position. Though France, 
Germany, and Austria were not especially friendly to 
us and, it was feared, might support Spain, Great 
Britain immediately placed herself on our side. This 
showed the three countries that it would be wise to 
let Spain and the United States settle their difficulty 
alone. To add to Spain's troubles, the Philippine 
Islands, her most treasured possession in the East, 
were also in revolt. 

It was there that the first important engagement of 
the Spanish-American War took place. When war 
was yet but a rumor. Commodore Dewey was at 
Hongkong. Here he was advised by secret message 
to make ready for war. That meant to take on as 
much coal as possible and to drill his men rigidly. 
Later, he must get out the paint pots, and change to 
a dull slate color the white ships, beautiful in time of 
peace, but too good a target in time of war. 

On April 24 he received the following cablegram 
from the Secretary of the Navy: "War has com- 
menced between Spain and the United States. Pro- 



266 EXPANSION 

ceed at once to Philippine Islands. Commence opera- 
tions at once, particularly against Spanish fleet. You 
„, , must capture vessels or destroy. Use ut- 

War begun 

most endeavors." With the promptness 
of long training Dewey made for Manila harbor. 

By midnight of April 30 the American squadron, 
but dimly lighted, was stealing single file into the 
south channel of the bay. It seemed to the sailors 
that the Spaniards must surely hear them. To their 
anxious ears every sound was magnified as the mo- 
ments crept by. Their hearts beat wildly with excite- 
ment. Farther and farther in they crept, in the 
terrifying darkness, knowing not at what minute the 
enemy might appear. Worse, at any moment the\' 
might strike a submarine mine and be hurled into 
eternity. An officer whispered that surely the entire 
garrison must be asleep. Strange indeed, that their 
progress was unhindered. 

Swiftly, as is the way in the tropics, the dawn broke, 

and radiant daylight shone about them, revealing, 

close by, the city of Manila and its 

,, ., „ wharv^es. At five o'clock the shore bat- 

Mamla Bay 

teries and the Spanish squadron stationed 
along the coast opened a heavy fire. The only reply 
at first was the sudden display of the flag, "Remember 
the Maine. '' Not until the Americans w^ere within 
close range did they begin to return fire. Then blast 
after blast of destruction rent the air. At half past 
seven Dewey, out of consideration for his men, who 



BATTLE OF MANILA BAY 267 

had been on duty since four o'clock, ceased firing and 
drew back from the shore. His orders were, "Let the 
men go to breakfast." At eleven they returned to 
complete their work. Like monsters hurling bolts of 
fire at one another the two fleets and the shore bat- 
teries were once more in the throes of battle. Soon 
the Spanish flagship and many other ships were in 
flames, but not one of our warships was seriously 
damaged. The victory was complete. The news of 
this battle was received with enthusiasm. To the 
commodore were tendered the thanks of Congress, 
and later he was made admiral. 

But to destroy the Spanish fleet was not sufficient; 
men and reenforcements were needed to take Manila 
and hold it. When they finally arrived, our hold upon 
the Philippines was assured, and people began at 
once to discuss the commercial value of this group of 
islands. 

Meanwhile, throughout the Atlantic, the American 
spyglass searched in vain for the Spanish squadron 
under Cervera, last seen on April 29 at 
the Cape Verde Islands. It was generally g***^^*^*^ 
believed that the Spanish commander 
was making for Cuba. Yet for two weeks the most 
vigilant eye failed to see the smoke of his ships along 
the horizon. Commodore Schley had been sent to 
play "I spy." It took him until May 28 to find 
Cer\era, who had succeeded in making the harbor of 
Santiago, in Cuba. Acting Rear- Admiral Sampson, 



268 EXPANSION 

who had been blockading Havana, brought his ships 
to join Schley's, and took command of the entire fleet. 

The entrance to the harbor of Santiago is so narrow, 
and was so well defended, that a direct attack was 
out of the question. The situation called for clever 
strategy. Naval Constructor Hobson undertook to 
complete the blockade of the harbor by sinking an 
American vessel, the Merrimac, across its narrowest 
part. If he were successful, it would make Cervera 
a prisoner in his own place of refuge. But the scheme 
miscarried, and Lieutenant Hobson and his faithful 
men barely escaped with their lives. 

While this had been going on the government had 
been raising an army to send to Santiago. More 
than 200,000 responded to President 
p . McKinley's call for volunteers. From 

all quarters they poured in. Among 
them were the cowboy of the West, the young man of 
fashion, the college youth — all sorts and conditions. 
Yet war found them sharing one another's tents and 
carrying one another's burdens. 

The city of Santiago was protected by the fortifi- 
cations on two hills. El Caney and San Juan. These 
the Americans captured in the first two days of July. 
On the next day General Cervera, who had been 
held in the harbor by Sampson's fleet, attempted to 
escape. Then occurred the second of the two great 
naval engagements of this war. In four hours Cer- 
vera's fleet was utterly destroyed. He lost 600 men, 



ATTACK ON SANTIAGO 



:(^g 



killetl and wounded, while the American loss was one 
man killed and one wounded. 

Following this \ictory. our army demanded the 
surrender of Santiago. This was refused. Then it 




Spanish blockhouse on San Juan Hill 



was threatened that by noon of the fifth our army 
would bombard the town. The women and children 
were thus given two days in w^hich to leave the city. 
There began a pitiable procession of nearly 20,000 half- 
starved women, wasted children, and tottering old 
men. Many of them were sheltered and protected 
by the American army. This meant sacrifice on the 



270 EXPANSION 

part of the American soldiers, for their own suppHes 
were meager. 

The luster of this war is surely dimmed when one 
considers the useless suffering caused by the careless- 
ness of the commissary department. Supplies were 
inadequate and their transportation poorly managed. 
Much of the suffering of the war might have been 
avoided. At best war is horrible. The glory and ex- 
citement do not come to all. Those who lie for long 
hours, motionless in a steaming trench, suffer as much 
as the wounded on the battlefield. Inaction is some- 
times harder to bear than pain. To the man shot down 
in battle it seems a long time before his eyes catch the 
gleam of the red cross which means help and care. 

The Red Cross Society works on the battlefield or 
wherever terrible destruction reigns. It was founded 
in 1863, and now nearly all nations are 
g . represented in it. Its doctors and nurses 

know no enemy. They are permitted 
the freedom of the battle lines, and their emblem, a 
red cross upon a white field, protects them and their 
property. Thus it happens that the dying soldier 
may look up into the face of a soft-voiced woman. 
On her arm the red cross shows, and over her counte- 
nance shines the light of an unselfish spirit. The 
young lad, and many such there are in camp hospitals, 
finds a sympathetic hand clasping his as he bids a 
cheerful good-by to the limb which the surgeon says 
must come off. Messages are sent home for those 



RED CROSS SOCIETY 



271 



who are too weak to write, and the hand that pens 
them Is that of the Red Cross nurse. Many and 




A Red Cross tent 



varied are her duties, and in like proportion are the 
thanks and affection she receives. 

" For we know that wherever the battle was waged, 
With its wounded and dead and dying — 
Where the wrath of pagan or Christian raged — 
Like the mercy of God, where the battle was waged, 
The Red Cross flag was flying." * 

* J. T. Napier: The Red Cross Flag. 



272 EXPANSION 

The hopelessness of the situation became appar- 
ent to the Spaniards, and on July 17, they surrendered 
Santiago. At the first stroke of noon, from the 
flagpole above the red- tiled roof of the Spanish 
palace, the red and yellow flag of Spain fluttered 
down from its proud place. Before the final stroke 
had sounded the Red, White, and Blue waved in the 
breeze. The troops came to order. The band played 
the Star Spangled Banner! 

In December, the treaty of peace was signed. 

By it Cuba became a free country, though she was 

placed under the protection of the United 

Peace or 

States, in 1902 our care was no longer 
necessary, and Cuba, the republic, took her own place 
among the nations. By the same treaty Spain 
ceded to the United States, Porto Rico, of the West 
Indies, which our troops had invaded; Guam, one 
of the Ladrone Islands, which our navy had seized; 
and the Philippines, the scene of Dewey's victory. 

So have we grown from the Atlantic to the Pacific 
and then beyond to a point of vantage whence we 
may look out upon the eastern world. As we have 
increased our territorial possessions so have we 
added to that vast number of true-hearted patriots 
who are loyal to "Old Glory." 

" I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the Republic 
for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with 
liberty and justice for all." Throughout the length 
and breadth of our land, from Maine to California, 



THE PHILIPPINES 273 

from Minnesota to Texas, thousands of school children 
daily pledge themselves to uphold the "Stars and 
Stripes." 

It was an odd group of pupils that stood in a school- 
house in Manila on Washington's Birthday, 1900, 

and saluted the American flag, a gift 

The 
from the Lafayette Post of the Grand „. ... . 

■^ _ Philippines 

Army of the Republic. American chil- 
dren and Spanish, slant-eyed Chinese and dusky- 
skinned Filipinos, stood shoulder to shoulder in 
salute. Lustily their voices joined in the words of 
"America," — "My Country, 'tis of Thee." And 
this scene was repeated in all the other thirty-five 
schools of the Philippine capital. 

'"Tis the schoolhouse stands by the flag. 
Let the Nation stand by the school ; 
'Tis the school bell that rings for our Liberty old, 
'Tis the schoolboy whose ballot shall rule."* 

When the United States established its govern- 
ment in Manila, one of the first things it did was to 
organize public schools. In time the chief islands of 
the Philippines were dotted with them. And now 
hundreds of American teachers are at work, not only 
educating the children, but also training the native 
men and women to become teachers of their own 
people. Thus in time will the people of these islands 
be able to govern themselves. It must be remem- 

* H. Butterworth: The School House and the F"lag. 



274 



EXPANSION 



bercd that America did not wage war with Spain 
in order to gain territory for itself. But after the 
war was over it found itself with Pacific possessions 
on its hands. It saw that before these people could 
successfully manage their own affairs they must be 




!^.^fe^ 



Scene in the Philippines 

trained to respect law and order. Millions of dollars 
have already been spent by the United States in this 
work. 

Even under Spanish rule some of the Filipinos, 
led by Aguinaldo, had fought for their independence. 
Spain made a treaty with them and paid the leaders 
several thousand dollars on condition that they 
leave the Philippines. When, not long afterward, 
Admiral Dewey gained possession of Manila Bay, 
these leaders returned from their retreat in Hongkong. 

Soon Aguinaldo and his friends had some thousands 
of men in arms against the United States. They 



THE PHILIPPINES 275 

declared that they had been fighting for independence 
and not for a change of masters. Our soldiers routed 
them from place to place. Finally the Filipino armies 
disbanded, but only to begin a guerrilla form of war- 
fare. Fighting, not in the open, but in small groups 
scattered throughout the land, they would harry 
the American troops from ambush. It took several 
months to hunt them down and restore peace. Agui- 
naldo was captured. Soon afterwards he took the 
oath of allegiance. Other insurgent leaders were won 
over; in fact, some of them are now governors of Phil- 
ippine provinces. Thus the Filipinos are well started 
on the road to self-government and independence. 

The Philippines and the island of Guam, which also 
came to us as a result of the Spanish War, are not 
our only Pacific possessions. In 1893 the 
people of the Hawaiian Islands overthrew 
their royal government and established a republic. 
The following year this republic was recognized by our 
country. Five years later Hawaii was annexed, and 
in 1900 was made a territory of the United States. 

To-day one must journey very nearly halfway 
around the globe to go from America's most eastern 
territory, Porto Rico, to her most western, 
the Philippines. One result of this ex- 
pansion is that the United States has become a "world 
power." Now, as never before, the other nations of 
the earth must reckon with her. And we may be 
proud of the way in which America has exercised her 



276 EXPANSION 

new-found power. For one thing, she has taken her 
full part with the other nations in their dealings with 
China. She insisted upon the plan of the "open door." 
Through it America has the same privileges to trade 
with China that are given to any other country. 

In 1900 the United States joined with Great 
Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan in putting 
down an uprising of the Boxers. The Boxers were a 
Chinese society that planned to wage war upon the 
foreigners living in China. They committed many 
murders and threatened to kill all the foreigners in 
Peking. But the six nations acted promptly. They 
moved their allied forces upon the Chinese capital. 
The city was taken, the foreigners rescued, and peace 
restored. More than 15,000 American troops took 
part in this movement. 

Another movement in which America has been 

active is that for the establishment of peace. Wars 

have been waged ever since men have 
Hague Court . , , . , , 1 t-. 1 1 1 

mhabited the earth, rrobably, too, war 

will long continue to be the only way of settling 
certain kinds of disputes. But surely much of our 
warfare has been senseless. Long ago individuals 
among civilized people learned to settle their differ- 
ences by taking them before a judge. There they 
argue the matter, and then abide by the decision 
of the court. If individuals can in this way avoid 
fighting, why cannot nations? The Czar of Russia 
invited the nations to discuss the question. In 1899 



THE HAGUE COURT 



277 



delegates from twenty-six countries met for confer- 
ence at 'llie Hague. The United States took an active 




The Peace Palace, at The Hague 



part in this meeting as well as in others that followed. 
A court was organized to which nations might take 
their disputes for arbitration. The United States 
and Mexico were the first to take a case before the 
Hague Court. 

In yet another direction the United States has 
carried on a work of great importance to all nations. 
For years people studied their maps of the 
western continent and sighed to think of 
the time and effort that had been spent in going from 



Panama Canal 



278 



EXPANSION 



ocean to ocean by way of Cape Horn. Across the 
narrow isthmus that joins the two Americas it is but a 
few miles. If only a waterway could be cut through 
here, what a saving it would be. The United States 
attacked the problem in earnest. A strip of land ten 
miles wide was bought from the Republic of Panama, 
and is known as the' Canal Zone. Here was under- 
taken the enormous task of cutting out of earth and 



Tx-AaaS^C"" 




Towing a steamship through the locks on the Panama Canal 



solid rock a lock canal large enough to accommodate 

the giant ships of commerce and the dreadnoughts 

of war. 

Thus, in many directions our republic has been 

expanding. Its interests now reach out far beyond 

the boundaries of the nation of a few vears 
Polihcs . . . ' 

ago. Along with this expansion events 

of no less importance have been occurring at home. 



DOMESTIC AFFAIRS 279 

One of them concerns the place of women in poHtics. 
Wyoming is the state that first gave its 

1 -1 .1 . -^ Woman 

women the same right to vote that it ^^ 
gi\-es its men. Several other states have 
since been added to the Hst of those granting the suf- 
frage to women. 

The Spanish War brought forward a question for 
debate: How shall we dispose of our new possessions? 
Then, too, there has been much argument over the 
tariff, over the coinage of gold and silver, over 
"trusts," and over many other matters. 

The people seemed to approve President McKinley's 
handling of the Spanish War, for they elected him for 
a second term. They were not long to have him as 
their President, however. Once again the hand of an 
assassin did its ugly work. President McKinley was 
shot while holding a reception at the Pan-American 
Exposition in Buffalo. He died eight days later. 
For the third time the people of the United States 
mourned a martyred President. 

Theodore Roosevelt succeeded to the presidency, 
and at the end of the term was reelected. He was 
followed by another Republican, William H. Taft, 
who had served as a judge, as governor of the Philip- 
pines, and in other offices. The campaign of 191 2 
brought forward a new party, the Progressive, which 
nominated Roosevelt in opposition to the Republican 
renomination of Taft. For the first time in twenty 
years the election went to the Democrats. Woodrow 



28o EXPANSION 

Wilson, governor of New Jersey, became the twenty- 
seventh President of the United States. 

Of the many events during these latest years only 
a few of the more important are noted here. In 
1902 the workmen in the anthracite coal mines in 
Pennsylvania — nearly 150,000 in number — struck, 
demanding better wages and hours. A coal famine 
was threatened, for the strike lasted five months. It 
was finally settled through the efforts of President 
Roosevelt, who induced the miners and their employers 
to submit their differences to arbitration. 

There have been from time to time many other 
labor difficulties in various parts of the country. How 
to settle them with justice to every one 
tr^ bl concerned — the laborer, the employer, 

and the people who buy the products — ■ 
is a difficult problem. It has yet to be solved, but 
steps have already been taken toward its solution. 
There are many labor organizations that seek to se- 
cure better conditions for their members. The larg- 
est of all is the American Federation of Labor, formed 
in 1 88 1. In 1903 Congress created the Department 
of Commerce and Labor, and ten years later divided 
this work into two departments, that of Commerce 
and that of Labor. 

Several wise laws have been passed during these 
years. One provides that when a person sells certain 
kinds of goods and drugs he must tell honestly what 
they are. He is forbidden to sell adulterated goods 



DISASTERS 



281 



Aviation 



under false names. Another law provides for the 
inspection of meats and other foods by officials of the 
government so that people may be sure that what 
they buy Is fit to eat. 

In invention America has contributed her full 
share, particularly in the field of electricity. Among 
her many ingenious inventors, Thomas 
A. Edison has a foremost place. His 
numerous productions, such as the phonograph and 
the arc light, have gained for him the title of the 
Wizard. But it is in the conquest of the air that the 
United States has perhaps the clearest claim to first 
place. As early as 
1900, tw^o brothers, 

Wilbur and Orville ""~ ^^ r^ 

WVight, living in ".,-,. -' 

Ohio, experimented 
with aeroplanes. 
They designed their 
first machine i n 
1903. Five years 
later they made 
successful flights at 
Fort Myer, a gov- 
ernment proving- 
ground near Wash- 
ington. 

Since 1900 three of our great cities have been 
visited with severe disasters. The first was a hurri- 




An aeroplane 



282 EXPANSION 

cane at Galveston; the second, a fire at Baltimore; 
and the third, an earthquake at San Francisco and 
in neighboring places. In 19 12 floods 
broke down the levees on the lower 
Mississippi. In all these disasters, people were made 
homeless, some were killed, and property worth millions 
of dollars was lost. But in each case the hearts of the 
people throughout the land were stirred to sympathy, 
and they gladly aided their unfortunate countrymen. 
Since 1900, too, the family of states has been 
enlarged by the admission of three. Oklahoma, ad- 
mitted in 1907, and New Mexico and 

New stS-tcs 

Arizona, in 1912, bring the total to forty- 
eight, a number not likely to be changed for many 
years. 

We call this latest period our period of Expansion. 
We have steadily pushed our influence eastward, 

westward, southward. Perhaps the 
Peary and the . , . 4. u u j 

N th p 1 crowning achievement has been a record 

of brave conquest over stupendous natural 

difliculties, the conquest of the far North. 

90° N. Lat., North Pole, 
April 6, 1909. 
"I have to-day hoisted the national ensign of 
the United States of America at this place, which 
my observations indicate to be the North Polar 
axis of the earth, and have formally taken posses- 
sion of the entire region, and adjacent, for and in 
the name of the President of the United States of 
America. 



DISCOVERY OF THE NORTH POLE 283 

"I leave this record and United States flag in 

P°^^'^^'°"- Robert E. Peary, 

United States Navy." 

Forty-eight stars now grace the blue field of our 
national emblem. We can only dream of the glories 
that await this flag. Surely they will stand in 
history alongside the triumphs of the past. 

"When Freedom, from her mountain height, 
Unfurled her standard to the air, 
She tore the azure robe of night. 
And set the stars of glory there!" * 

FOR CAREFUL STUDY 

The people of Cuba revolted against Spanish rule, 
and in 1895 declared their independence. The United 
States hesitated to interfere, although her sym- 
pathies were with the Cubans, who had been shame- 
fully ill-treated by Spain. But early in 1898 our 
battleship Maine, lying peacefully in the harbor of 
Havana, was blown up. 

The United States declared war against Spain in 
April and proceeded to search out the Spanish fleets 
in the Atlantic and in the Pacific. Admiral Dewey, 
in the Pacific, made a speedy attack upon the Spanish 
fleet in Manila Bay, defeated it, and captured the 
city of Manila. Admiral Sampson, with Schley 
second in command, blockaded the Spanish squadron 
in Santiago and utterly destroyed it when it at- 
tempted to escape. 

* Drake: The American Flag. 



284 EXPANSION 

At the same time land operations were going on in 
Cuba. Santiago was besieged and forced to surrefnder. 
By the treaty, signed in December, Cuba was made 
free, and the United States gained Porto Rico, Guam, 
and the PhiHppines. 

The period following the Spanish War has been one 
of expansion — -our nation has extended its posses- 
sions east, south, and west. 

In the east Porto Rico came to us at the close of 
the war. In the south we bought control of the 
Canal Zone, where we have succeeded in the stu- 
pendous task of cutting a ship canal across the 
Isthmus of Panama. In the Pacific we have Hawaii, 
the Philippines, and a few other islands. In the north 
the many expeditions in search of the pole reached a 
successful conclusion in 1909, when Peary raised the 
American flag at the North Pole. 

Along with this expansion the United States has 
gained a growing respect among the nations of the 
world. It has taken its part in world affairs. It has 
had its influence in gaining fair play for China. It 
has borne its share in establishing the Hague Court. 

Among the chief events at home have been labor 
troubles and strikes; the passage of laws which help 
to insure safety in buying food and drugs; disasters 
from hurricane, fire, flood, and earthquake. The 
number of states in the Union has now reached 
forty-eight. 

In politics, the two Presidents following McKinley 
were Roosevelt and Taft, both Republicans. Then, 
with the election of Wilson, the Democrats returned 
to power for the first time in twenty years. 




(285) 



286 



EXPANSION 
FACTS TO BE MEMORIZED 



The War with Spain, 1898, was caused by cruel treatment of 
the Cubans by the Spaniards. 

During the Spanish War, Manila and Santiago were taken, 
and at the close Cuba was freed, Porto Rico was ceded to the 
United States, and the Philippines were bought from Spain. 



Bibliography 

Aviation. — Burns: Story of Great Inventions. 

Holland: Historic Inventions. 
Barton. — Foote and Skinner: Makers and Defenders of 

America. 
Dewey. — Beebe: Four American Naval Heroes. 

Johnson: Hero of Manila. 
McKinley. — Stratemeyer: American Boys' Life of William 

McKinley. 
North Pole. — Peary: Children of the Arctic. 

Peary: Nearest the Pole. 

Peary: Snow Baby. 

Peary: The North Pole. 
Panama. — Hall: Panama and the Canal. 

Philippines. — Austin: Uncle Sam's Children. 
Spanish War. — Abbot: Blue Jackets of '98. 

Allen: Cleared for Action. 

Austin: Uncle Sam's Soldiers. 

L. G. T. (Tisdale) : Three Years Behind the Guns. 

Matthews: Our Navy in Time of War. 




The White City' 



CHAPTER XIV 
RECALLING THE PAST 

The spring days of 1876 awoke each morning to 
fresh surprises in beautiful Fairmount Park, in Phila- 
delphia. All through the previous year centennial Ex- 
builders had plied their trade unceasingly, position, Phiia- 
crecting quaint and beautiful buildings d^^Pl^'^' ^^76 
over a level surface of two hundred acres. Foreign- 
looking men from many climes were unpacking odd- 
shaped cases marked with strange characters which 
carried no meaning to the American mind. There 
were Germans, Frenchmen, Italians, JapanCvSe, Span- 
iards, and many others. 

These strangers had come to help us celebrate 
the one hundredth anniversary of the signing of the 
Declaration of Independence. Thirty-iiine countries 
brought their choicest wares to show to the hundred- 
year-old nation. Many put up buildings of their 
own, like those of their homeland. Twenty-six of 
our states had each its own building. In all there 
were about two hundred structures. Some were 
hastily built, intended only as temporary shelters; 
but others, such as Memorial Hall, which stands 
to-day, were well constructed and of unusual beauty. 
287 



288 RECALLING THE PAST 

Though not entirely completed, the exposition was 
formally opened in May. Wagner, the great German 
composer, wrote a march for the occasion. Whittier 
wrote a " Centennial Hymn," which was majestically 
sung by a thousand trained voices: 

"Our fathers' God! from out whose hand 
The centuries fall like grains of sand, 
We meet to-day, united, free, 
And loyal to our land and Thee, 
To thank Thee for the era done, 
And trust Thee for the opening one. 



" Be with us while the New World greets 
The Old World thronging all its streets, 
Unveiling all the triumphs won 
By art or toil beneath the sun; 
And unto common good ordain 
This rivalship of hand and brain." 

On July 4, 1876, in the rear of Independence Hall, 
Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, grandson of one of the 
signers of the Declaration of Independence, read that 
memorable paper to a great multitude. As he came 
forward holding tenderly the original document, now 
yellow and crumbling with age, the vast crowds rose 
and rent the air with their shouts. In the coldest of 
hearts the fire of patriotism was kindled. Nor were 
our people proud without cause. Despite its youth, 
the United States, in many of the exhibits, was in 
advance of the older nations. 



CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION 



It was generally admitted that we led in making 
labor-saving machinery. There was a plow so elabo- 
rate that it cost a thousand dollars. There was a line 
of sewing machines of many different makes stretching 



O. 



-;- 


1 


^^^ 


&^- 


1^^ 


.^Ml 


\ l^\ : 






.- ' 


m^ 



Independence Hall, in Philadelphia 

for a half mile. There was a machine for hatching 
chickens that to the visiting farmer seemed hardly 
short of magic. There was, marvel of marvels, a great 
steam engine supplying the power that moved all the 
machinery of the exposition. Its mighty strength 
set thousands of wheels whirling. They, in turn, put 
in motion machines that produced before the very 
eyes of the gaping stranger all sorts of useful articles, 
such as pins, boots and shoes, bricks, envelopes, can- 
dies, tacks, nails, corks, carpets, dress-goods, and 
shingles. 

There top was the typewriter, an interesting 
machine, but at that time not considered of practical 
use. Much amusement was caused by the "lovers' 




290 RECALLING THE PAST 

telegraph." It was like a modern boy's telephone, 
consisting of two boxes connected by a waxed string. 
The string carried the vibrations 
of the voice from one box to the 
other. Hardly more than a toy 
it was, but it hinted at the won- 
VVTIT^ 1/ {' ''/^^-^ ^^*" ^^ come. It was only a year 
\\l %/N; later that Professor Alexander 

Graham Bell perfected the in- 
vention of the telephone. To- 
Eariy form of the telephone ^j^y j^-g slender wires Carry the 
voice between distant cities, and are stretched for 
thousands of miles in all directions throughout our land. 
Not in every respect, however, did we find ourselves 
first. In the picture galleries we had no such master- 
pieces as European countries exhibited. The school 
exhibits of other nations taught us that we had 
progressed but slowly. Most of our school buildings 
were unhealthful and the school grounds unattractive. 
Through the succeeding years the nation has taken 
these lessons to heart, and numerous changes for the 
better have been made. 

There were many things to be learned at the fair, 
and many people to learn them. It is believed that 
fully ten million people visited it. The railroads had 
lengthened their lines to accommodate the travelers; 
there were now 80,000 miles of railroad in the United 
States. To many of the visitors the trip seemed 
as hazardous as the far-famed voyage of Columbus. 



CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION 291 

They planned and they saved for the event. It made 
them half afraid, but with the kind of fear that sends 
one shivering on delightedly, step by step. To the 
children, and there were many whose small feet 
tramped the enchanted grounds, the promised visit 
meant seeing for the first time real Chinamen at work; 
dark-skinned people from Hawaii, who displayed 
beautiful pink coral and wondrous shells; oddly 
dressed folk from Egypt, showing embroideries of 
many colors; and, when nightfall came, above and 
about and everywhere, the gleam and twinkle of the 
countless lights. 

To older heads, too, many things were new and 
strange. Previous to the exposition Americans had 
traveled little, even in their own country. They 
knew comparatively nothing of the possibilities of the 
great land that was theirs. Such fruit as California 
exhibited, such grains as came from the Middle West, 
were a surprise to the people of the East. The 
visitors from abroad, looking upon the products of the 
United States, were eager to buy them. Since our 
first exposition we have, year by year, sent out from 
our big land an ever increasing amount of exports, 
more, in fact, than we received from abroad. 

Uncle Sam also took part in the Centennial Exposi- 
tion. Among his exhibits perhaps the most interesting 
was a postal car in which clerks were at their work. 
They showed how mail is received, sorted, and de- 
livered as the trains speed from station to station. 



2Q2 RECALLING THE PAST 

The printing business had an exhibit of special 
interest. The hand press at which Benjamin Frank- 
Hn worked as a journeyman was there. Near it were 




Benjamin Franklin's printing press 

two large modern printing presses that were capable 
of making twenty thousand impressions a day. 

At the entrance to the fair grounds was seen an 
immense arm cast in bronze, clasping a huge torch. 
It was part of a colossal statue, "Liberty enlightening 
the World," sent to us as a birthday gift by France. 
In 1886 the entire statue was set up on an island in 
New York harbor. Its light invites the nations of 
the world, saying: "Come to us. This is the land 
of the free and the home of the brave!" 

So successful was the Philadelphia exposition that 
many other important dates in our history have been 



COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION 



293 



celebrated in like lashi(jn. In 1892 Chicago opened 
wide her hospitable doors and invited Columbian 
every one to the shores of Lake Michi- Exposition, 
gan. "Come help us celebrate," we said Chicago, 1893 
to the nations, "the four hundredth anniversary of 
the discovery of a New World. " 

Right cordially they responded. Spain sent models 
of Columbus's three famous vessels, the Santa Maria, 




J^ 



,^^^-^^ 



■i^^^saasW 



The Liberty Statue, in New York harbor 



the Nina, and the Pinta. She also sent a gracious 
princess to honor the occasion. From Norway there 
came a strange-appearing craft, a Viking ship, to 



294 RECALLING THE PAST 

remind us, it was declared, that the Xorthmen were 
the true discoverers of North America. This boat 
was a model of one that had been unearthed with 
much difficulty. Its age could only be guessed at. 
It was seventy-six feet long, and the rudder was on 
the right side. Upon its prow it bore a dragon's 
head, and upon its stern a dragon's tail. On a 
seat in the stern was the figure of a chief. The 
original of this boat is kept b}- the Xon^vegians in 
their national museum at Christiania. 

The Chicago exposition far exceeded that of 1876 
in size, covering more than one square mile. It was 
also attended by greater numbers. More than twehe 
million people visited the Great White City, as it was 
called. Plans had been made to open the grounds 
in October, 1892, but there was delay in getting 
things ready. The exposition was dedicated on the 
22nd of that month, but the public was not admitted 
until the following year. The formal opening took 
place May i, 1893. President Cleveland, in his ad- 
dress, said, "We stand to-day in the presence of the 
oldest nations of the world and point to the great 
achievements we here exhibit, asking no allowance 
on the score of youth." He extended a warm greet- 
ing "to those who have come from foreign lands to 
illustrate with us the growth and progress of human 
endeavor in the direction of a higher civilization." 

At the close of his address the President touched 
a key in the platform before him. It was connected 



COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION 295 

^vIth a 2000-horse-power engine which started the 
machinery of the exposition. Almost instantly hun- 
dreds of flags were unfurled and many fountains 
began to pla>'. The masses of the people surged back 
and forth and cheered \'igorously. The year's wait 
had not been in vain. 

One might wander over the spacious ground for 
days and always meet new wonders, What are the 
things to be seen? There are red men and women from 
the Indian resers'ations. Among the Alaskans are Split 
Oak and Dull Hatchet and Clumsy Moccasin, dressed 
in all the glory of Indian finery. They wear neck- 
laces of bear's teeth, and belts from which dangle 
ghastly scalps. Over their shoulders and from their 
waists hang costly fur skins, which they drag through 
the dust of the exhibition grounds. The Eskimos, 
with their quaint squatty figures, also wear valuable 
furs. The furs remind us of Alaska's wealth. Evi- 
dently, we did not o\'er-pay Russia when, in 1867, we 
purchased that territory for $7,200,000. 

That curious rocky structure sixty feet high about 
which so many people stand is a model of the old 
clifT dwellers' homes. It has been copied from the 
remains on Battle Rock Mountain, Colorado. In 
its cre\-ices and half -hidden passages whole families 
dwell. There is also a museum of articles used by 
the inhabitants of centuries ago, — these articles 
have been unearthed by the hard work of patient 
scientists. 



296 



RECALLING THE PAST 



The past and present are portrayed together in 
many exhibits. There is the queer De Witt Chnton 
locomotive, the first on the New York Central Rail- 
road, and, near it, the road's newest passenger engine 
that makes a hundred miles an hour. There, too, is 
a beautiful model of the pilot house of a great ocean 
liner and some of its staterooms de luxe. How differ- 
ent from the accommodations of Fulton's Clermont! 
Out there on the blue waters of Lake Michigan is a 
model of a modern war vessel, the Illinois, whose 
obliging officers show how the guns are worked and 
describe the other details of the machinery of a 
modern sea-fighter. 

So rapid has progress been that the telephone 
which was regarded with amusement at the Philadel- 
phia Centennial, now has a building of its own. Here 

one may talk with 
r ^^ k.^ friends at a distance, 

* — ^ n even as far off as 

New York or Boston, 
The telephone girls 
who operate the sta- 
tion sit in full view 
of the sightseer. 

Most of the states 
erected characteristic 
buildings. For in- 
stance, California's was fashioned after an ancient 
adobe mission house. In the belfry hung old Spanish 




The CaUfornia Building at the Chicago 
exposition 



COLUIMBIAN EXPOSITION 297 

bells, recalling the days when California belonged to 
Spain. That state also had a wonderful display of 
fruit in the form of a globe of golden oranges. As 
fast as they decayed they were replaced by fresh ones 
sent directly from the groves. 

In Pennsylvania's building hung the old Liberty 
Bell, with its famous inscription. There were other 
treasures such as Jefferson's sword, and the chair in 
which he sat when he wrote the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, the table on which it was signed, and a sofa 
that had once belonged to Washington. At the close 
of the exposition, Philadelphia took home her treas- 
ures, but she presented the building to Chicago. 

Rhode Island, in her building, exhibited a picture 
whose w^ooden frame had been part of the house of 
Joseph \Mlliams, Roger Williams's youngest son. Vir- 
ginia reproduced Mount Vernon, the home of Washing- 
ton. In it were show^n many mementos of the Father 
of his Country. Michigan built a logging camp of pine, 
where a company of lumbermen lived, just as they 
do in the forest. Thus each state placed before the 
people of all the nations some picture that showed the 
part it had played in the country's story. 

The World's Columbian Exposition was marked by 
the beauty of the statues that were placed about the 
grounds. In front of the Administration Building 
was a striking figure of Columbus. Near the Elec- 
tricity Building was a statue of Franklin, a kite in 
his right hand, his left hand extended as if he had 



298 RECALLING THE PAST 

snatched from the clouds the great mysterious force 
that was running the machinery of the fair grounds. 

But of all the pictures that the Great White City 
stamped on the minds of its visitors none told more 
vividly of the progress of civilization than the series of 
floats presented on each of the first three nights of the 
opening week. The first float represented the Stone 
Age, showing the Cliff Dwellers ; then the Bronze Age, 
with the Aztecs and Mound Builders; following them 
came a group portraying other American Indians; 
then the Departure of Columbus from Palos, the 
Discovery of America, Columbus presenting Indians 
to Ferdinand and Isabella. Next came an English 
Cavalier, then the Settlement at Jamestown. This 
was followed by Hudson, the Landing of the Pilgrims, 
De Soto and the Discovery of the Mississippi, and 
the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. 
There were floats to represent such great forces as 
Electricity, and others that pictured War, Peace, and 
Agriculture. Thus did history pass in review before 
the visitors. 

In 1 90 1 Buffalo held an exposition that was dis- 
tinctly American; that is, no European or Asiatic 
Pan-American nation was invited. Only the people of 
Exposition, North America and South America were 
Bufifalo, 1901 represented. When the suggestion was 
first made, at a banquet, it was immediately 
accepted, and nearly a million dollars was subscribed 
by private citizens. 



PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION 



299 



The exposition grounds were a mile long and a lialf 
mile- wide. The buildings were unusually beautiful 
in line and coloring. Here was no "White City," but 
a "warmth and wealth of colors," making it the 
"Landscape City." 

Richard Watson Gilder wrote: "Here by the great 
waters of the north, are brought together the peoples 
of two Americas, in exposition of their resources, 
industries, products, inventions, arts, and ideas." 




The Court of Fountains, at the Buffalo exposition 



This Buffalo fair, known as the Pan-American, 
showed the great strides that had been made in the 
use of electricity in the eight years following the 



300 REC.\LLIXG THE PAST 

Columbian Exposition. Several electrical companies 
had each a building of its own, in which it exhibited 
wonderful machinery for the use of this power. 

It was at night that one appreciated best the 
exquisite beauty of the fair grounds. When twilight 
came the buildings were almost deserted. Everybody 
went to the Court of Fountains to watch the illumina- 
tion. First the lamp-posts took on a delicate glow, 
until they resembled tiny pink buds. Then the eaves 
and the archways and the domes of the buildings were 
faintly outlined against the evening sky. Soon the 
lines began to sparkle, and then — a wondrous, 
dazzling burst of light ! 

Most of the power that made this fairyland was 
furnished by the mighty waters of Niagara. They 
set in motion immense turbines, connected with 
dynamos. These produced the electric current that 
was carried through wires to Buffalo, miles away. By 
telephone one might listen to the roar of the waters, as 
it sounded in the Cave of the Winds, under the falls. 

As in former exhibitions, the natives of America 
were an interesting feature. There were structures to 
represent the old homes of the mound builders and 
some remains of the Aztecs and Peruvians. There 
was a Six Nation village, where the descendants of 
the great Iroquois showed their white brothers how 
the Indian lives to-day. Twenty- five tribes from 
west of the Mississippi were represented, headed by 
such famous chiefs as American Horse. There, too, 



TAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION 301 

was a Filipino \illage, such a village as Dewey's men 
saw in 1898. 

The Pan-American has been called an out-of-doors 
exposition, partly because of the exterior beauty of 
the buildings and partly because of the many open- 
air attractions. The small boy visitor watched with 
great enthusiasm college games, baseball, football, 
basketball. There were tournaments and all sorts of 
American sports. 

Crowds flocked to Buffalo. The exhibition grounds 
were well policed, but despite all vigilance a madman 
made this his opportunity to plunge the nation into 
mourning. It was here that President McKinley, 
while holding a reception in the Temple of Music, 
was shot. It was thought, at first, that the President 
would recover, but when on September 14, 1901, he 
died, a deep shadow swept over the exposition, as 
over the whole country. 

Three years after the Buffalo fair, the acquisition 
of the Louisiana Territory was celebrated at St. Louis. 
With pride its citizens pointed out that Louisiana Pur- 
one of their city blocks represented more chase Exposi- ■ 
money than we had paid France for the ^^°^' ^^- ^o"^^' 
entire Louisiana Territory. The popula- 
tion of that area now numbered over fifteen million. 
Here was the most important wheat and corn pro- 
ducing region in the world. 

The exhibition was opened by a gorgeous procession 
headed by Cardinal Gibbons. Clad in the red robes 



302 RECALLING THE PAST 

of his church, he held out his hands in invocation 
and prayed: "May this vast territory which was 
peacefully acquired a hundred years ago, be for all 
time to come the tranquil abode of millions of en- 
lightened. God-fearing, and industrious people, en- 
gaged in the various pursuits and avocations of life." 

The honor of opening the exposition was given to 
President Roosevelt, who said, "The old pioneer 
days are gone with their roughness and their hard- 
ships, their incredible toil and their wild, half-savage 
romance. But the need of the pioneer virtues re- 
mains the same as ever." 

The directors of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition 
had decided early in the making of their plans, that 
the exhibit should be educational. It was to show 
the people how the great industries of their country 
were carried on ; how finished products which they 
bought at the counter were made. There one might 
see the preserving of tomatoes, from the time they 
were picked from the vines until they were sealed 
away in air-tight cans. Through a glass window 
one might watch a series of wonderful machines. A 
log would be shoved in at one end and out of the 
other would come — newspapers ! Children could see 
the stitching and the binding of such books as they 
used in school — geographies, histories, arithmetics. 

The Educational Building showed the efforts made 
to help the negro and the Indian. The deaf and 
dumb, the blind, the feeble-minded are all, it was 



LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION 



303 



shown, proxidc'd for by the more fortunate. There, 
too, was an X-ray apparatus, that wonderful inven- 
tion given to humanity by a German scientist. It 




Photograph taken with X-rays 



seems to give to the eyes of the surgeon the power of a 
magician, showing him just where to operate for the 
rehef of his patients. 

Curious crowds were interested in the w^orkings of 
the theatrical stage from behind the scenes. They 
could learn how flashes of lightning and peals of 
thunder are made, as well as many other secrets of 
the stage manager. 

Man's conquest of nature was portrayed. There 
was a model showing the working of the Pike's Peak 
railway and another of the Suez Canal. There was a 
miniature of the steel arch bridge at Niagara. On a 



304 RECALLING THE PAST 

small scale, the irrigating systems as used in the 
American desert were shown. One might see, too, 
the underground workings of a gold mine, the tunnels 
and the slopes and the shafts. 

Even nature had been forced to reproduce some 
of her marvels. Under the United States Bureau 
of Plant Industry six acres near the Agricultural 
Building had been laid out to represent the United 
States. The scale was one-half inch to the mile, and 
the border lines of the different states were marked 
off by cinder paths. The products of the central 
region had been planted in the regular season. Those 
of the warmer climates had been forced under glass. 
Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia, for 
example, showed how their cotton, sugar cane, and 
fruits grow. Minnesota had one fifth of an acre, 
where wheat, rye, barley, and corn flourished. An- 
other part of the exhibit showed how to cure the 
diseases that attack garden plants. Still another 
showed that the sand dunes can be made to grow 
vines and other green things. 

Nor were all the wonders confined to the ground. 
The kingdom of the air had many things to exhibit, — 
gliding machines, aeroplanes, and wireless telegraphy. 

This, indeed, was a marvelous exhibition. So 
thought the little girl, following a wizard who showed 
her how a doll is made to open and shut its eyes 
and to talk. So thought everybody, particularly 
when there descended suddenly upon them a sharp, 



OTHER EXPOSITIONS 305 

short snowstorm ! This, produced in midsummer, was 

another illustration of the wonders of science. 

These have not been the only expositions by which 

the Americans have reviewed the past and gained 

some hint of the future. The southern 

states have, twice at Atlanta and again 

' ° expositions 

at New Orleans and at Charleston, cele- 
brated their prosperity by Cotton Expositions. In 
1897 Tennessee had a "Centennial and National Ex- 
position;" in 1898 Omaha, the "Trans-Mississippi 
and International Exposition;" and in 1895 Portland, 
Oregon, the "Northwestern Industrial Exposition." 
In 1907 the three-hundredth anniversary of the 
founding of Jamestown, was celebrated by an exposi- 
tion held at Norfolk, Virginia. The Alaska- Yukon 
Exposition, held on the grounds of the University of 
Washington in 1909, declared its object to be "to 
exploit the resources of Alaska and the Yukon terri- 
tory, to make known the vast importance of the trade 
with the Pacific Ocean and to demonstrate the mar- 
velous progress of Western America." In 191 5 an 
exposition will be held at San Francisco to celebrate 
the opening of the Panama Canal. 

These celebrations varied in purpose, and in dis- 
plays, and yet what did they all show? Not the 
glories of war, but the triumphs of peace. It is true 
that guns and swords were displayed, but a com- 
paratively small place was given to military exhibits. 
Does not this show that, after all, the American 



3o6 RECALLING THE PAST 

people are devoted to the arts of peace? In times of 
great need we have felt obliged to resort to arms to 
settle our differences. Let us hope that, throughout 
the future — as in many cases in the past — we may 
adjust all our disagreements by the dignified method 
of arbitration. 

Let us hope, too, that our beloved nation may con- 
tinue to stand before the world's powers as a united 
people ready to help the weak of all lands. The gun 
and the sword may have their place, but the nobler 
duty to one's country is in faithful labor in the field, 
the shop, the ofhce, — and in public service. 

"Thou, too, sail on, O Ship of State! 
Sail on, O Union, strong and great! 
Humanity with all its fears, 
With all the hopes of future years, 
Is hanging breathless on thy fate!"* 

* Longfellow: The Building of the Ship. 



APPENDIX A 

FACTS TO BE MEMORIZED 

Discovery and Exploration 

Columbus discovered America in 1492 and established 
Spanish claim to territory. 

Cabot discovered the mainland of North America in 1497 
and estabUshed EngUsh claim to territory. 

America was named for Americus Vespucius. 

Balboa discovered the Pacific Ocean in 1513. 

Magellan's men were the first to sail around the earth, 1519- 
1522. 

De Soto discovered the Mississippi River in 1541. 

Cartier's discovery of the St. Lawrence and La Salle's 
exploration of the Mississippi established French claim to 
territory. 

Hudson explored the Hudson River in 1609 and established 
Dutch claim to territory. 

Settlement 

Raleigh made two attempts to found a colony in Virginia, 
which, though unsuccessful, turned the thought of the EngUsh 
toward the New World. 

The first permanent English colony was founded at James- 
town, Virginia, in 1607. 

Negro slavery was introduced into Virginia in 1619. 

Massachusetts was settled by the Pilgrims at Plymouth, 
1620, and by other Puritans at Boston, 1630. 

Maryland was settled by Lord Baltimore and other Catholics. 

New Netherland was settled by the Dutch in 1623, at New 
Amsterdam and elsewhere; but it was taken by the English in 
1664. 

307 



3o8 APPENDIX 

Pennsylvania was settled by Quakers undet William Penn, 
who founded Philadelphia, 1682. 

Colonial Wars 

Three colonial wars were waged between the French and the 
English because of wars in Europe. 

A fourth colonial war, the French and Indian, 1 754-1 763, 
began in a contest for the Ohio valley, and resulted in English 
supremacy in North America. 

The Revolutionary War 

The Revolutionary War, 1775-1783, was caused by England's 
treatment of her colonies as to taxation and trade laws. 

The Declaration of Independence was adopted at Phila- 
delphia, July 4, 1776. 

The capture of Burgoyne's army, 1777, prevented the English 
from dividing the colonies in two along the Hudson, and secured 
French aid for the Americans. 

The surrender of Cornwallis to Washington, at Yorktown, 
1 781, practically ended the Revolutionary War. 

By the Treaty of Paris, 1783, at the close of the Revolutionary 
War, England recognized American independence, and the 
boundary lines of the United States were agreed upon. 

Growth of the Union 

The many weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, 
under which the Union had been governed, led to the adoption 
of the Constitution in 1788. 

George Washington was inaugurated first President of the 
United States in 1789. 

Our national capitals have been New York, Philadelphia, 
Washington. 

The Louisiana Territory was purchased from France in 1803, 
and afterwards explored by Lewis and Clark. 

The Second War with England, 1812-1815, secured inde- 
pendence for American commerce and gained the respect of 
European nations for the United States. 

Florida was purchased from Spain in 1819. 

By the Missouri Compromise, 1820, Missouri was admitted 



FACTS TO BE MEMORIZED 3og 

as a slave state, while slavery was prohibited in all the rest of 
the Louisiana Territory north of 36° 30'. 

The Erie Canal was completed in 1825, 

The first American railroad was begun in 1828. 

The Mexican War, 1 846-1 848, was caused by the annexation 
of Texas and a dispute over its southern boundary. 

The Mexican War, in which the Americans won every 
battle, resulted in fixing the boundary at the Rio Grande, and 
in the purchase from Mexico of California and other territory. 

Gold was discovered in California in 1848. 

By the Compromise of 1850, California was admitted into the 
Union as a free state, and Utah and New Mexico were allowed 
to decide for themselves whether they would be free or slave. 

The Kansas-Nebraska Law, 1854, repealed the Missouri 
Compromise and allowed the territories to decide the slave 
question for themselves. 

The Dred Scott Decision, 1857, permitted slavery in all the 
territories. 

The Civil War 

The Civil War, 1861-1865, was caused by slavery, and more 
directly by the secession of the southern states. 

In the Civil War the plan of the North was to blockade 
southern ports and thus cut off supplies from the Confederacy; 
to open up the Mississippi and thus divide the Confederacy; 
and to capture Richmond, the seat of the Confederate govern- 
ment. 

The Monltor'Merrimac engagement, 1862, prevented the 
Confederates from breaking up the blockade of the southern 
ports. 

By Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, January i, 1863, 
the slaves in the seceding states were declared free. 

The attempt of the Confederates to invade the North was 
ended by the battle of Gettysburg, July 13, 1863. 

The Confederacy was divided along the Mississippi by the 
capture of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. 

Lee abandoned Richmond and surrendered to Grant in 
April, 1865. 

The Civil War resulted in the abolition of slavery and the 
reunion of the states. 



3IO APPENDIX 

Renewed Expansion 

Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867. 

The War with Spain, 1898, was caused by cruel treatment of 
the Cubans by the Spaniards. 

During the Spanish War, Manila and Santiago were taken, 
and at the close Cuba was freed, Porto Rico was ceded to the 
United States, and the PhiUppines were bought from Spain. 



APPENDIX B 
REFERENCE TABLE OF THE STATES 



Derivation of name 



Delaware 

Pennsylvania... . 

New Jersey 

Georgia 

j Connecticut 

Massachusetts... 

Maryland 

South Carolina.. 
I New Hampshire. 

Virginia 

I New York 

North Carolina . 
I Rhode Island. . . 

Vermont 

I Kentucky 

Tennessee 

Ohio 

Louisiana 

Indiana 

Mississippi 

Illinois 

Alabama 

Maine 

Missouri | 

Arkansas ' 

Michigan 

Florida 

Texas 

Iowa 

Wisconsin 

California 

Minnesota 

Oregon 

Kansas 

West Virginia , 

Nevada 

Nebraska 

Colorado 

North Dakota 

South Dakota 

Montana 

Wa-shington . . . 

Idaho 

Wyoming 

Utah 

Oklahoma 

New Mexico. . . 

Arizona 



Lord Delaware 

Penn's Woodland 

Island of Jersey, in English Channel 

King George II 

Connecticut River (long tidal river) 

" At the great hill " — Indian 

Maria, queen of Charles I 

King Charles II 

Hampshire, in England 

Virgin Queen (Elizabeth) 

Duke of York 

King Charles II 

Isle of Rhodes, in ^gean Sea 

" Green mountain " — French 

" Meadow land " — Indian 

" River with the great bend " — Indian 

" Beautiful river " — Indian 

Louis XIV, of France 

Purchased from Indians 

" Great Water " or " Father of Waters " — Indian 

" Superior men " — Indian 

" Here we rest ' ' — Indian 

The main land, or, from a province of France 

" Muddy water " — Indian 

Indian tribe 

" Great water " — Indian 

" The flowery land " — Spanish 

Indian tribe 

" Sleepy ones " — Indian tribe 

" Wild rushing river " — Indian 

Name in an old Spanish romance 

" Cloudy water " — Indian 

" Wild sage " — Spanish 

" Smoky water " — Indian 

Virginia 

" Snow-clad " — Spanish 

" Shallow or broad water " — Indian 

" Blood red " — Spanish 

I Dakota confederation of Indian tribes — " Allies 

" Mountainous region " — Spanish 

George Washington 

" Gem of the mountains " — Indian 

" Large plains " — Indian 

" Mountain dweller " — Indian 

" Red people " — Indian 

Mexico (Mexitl ) — Aztec 

" Silver Bearing " — Aztec 



3" 



1787I 
1787 
1787 



1788 

1788 

1788 

17S8 

1789 £• 

1790 

1791I 

1792 

1796 

1803 

1812 

1816 

1817 

1818 

1819 

1820 

1821 

1836 

1837 

1845 

184s 

1846 

1848 

1850!-^ 



1864 
1867 
1876 
1889 



1890 
1896 
1907 
1912 
1912, 



312 



APPENDIX 



I i >>:>: i>:dd>: 



S>2Z2;S2mw2M> euZ <WSH 



-2^" 



522 j52;szz»i;z^ 



aC G ?i C 
- •lit oii«-^ 



•< S 









g C tj£ 



C.2 c 



5< Sk^u 



illll 



nil 



11 



3 3 



333 g3 g 3 33 g 

o. o. o. g o. c o. o. p. g 



^ o 



«g> 



a sg e 



_ „ 00 g I 



00 00 



ii2o u I 



i5 V iS C> K V r^ 
"^'^ lo I 00 O i; w 
■ " loOO Ov " g >■ o> 



<^ fc ll-^fe-g g gg 



N'O O nO moo lO (NM(NO\C 



00 00 CO On 0> 0\ 0\ 



)l> t^ NrOOlO'^tO'^M OvOO N NMOr'-PCI>- rOOO t*'^ 
■jsO \0 OOr^OOvoOOOO O O N (NrOrOrOfOr<5 'tt iOiO» 

- t^ t^ r^ t^ t^ r^ i> 00 00 t*- oo oo oo oooooooooooo oo ooooo 



S g >'.2 



o o><>H .-^H o !>i o^ 



>S > > >S H 20>H^j22o3 S H 3 OOZZ£2 O ZOZ 






^ C o 






-g ^ ^ 






oil B bS| sliBlHsll^^lBirlsllll 



,^ < S&^ 



2. < < tD Pi4uOcqO ^ H&^S^ 



) rt in O I^ 00 O O I 



APPENDIX D 

REFERENCE LIST OF IMPORTANT EVENTS, IN 
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER 



1765 Stamp Act 

1765 Colonial Congress met in New York. 

1770 Golden Hill skirmish. 

1770 Boston skirmish. 

1773 Boston Tea Party. 

1774 First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. 

1774 English passed law closing the port of Boston. 

1 775-1 783. .Revolutionary War. 

1775 April 19, Battles of Lexington and Concord. 

1775 May 10, Second Continental Congress met. 

1775 May 10, Americans captured Ticonderoga. 

1775 June 17, Battle of Bunker Hill. 

1775 December, Daniel Boone settled in Kentucky. 

1776 July 4, Independence declared. 

1776 August 27, Battle of Long Island. 

1776 December 26, Battle of Trenton. 

1777 September 11, Battle of Brandy wine. 

1777 October 17, Burgoyne surrendered to the Americans at 

Saratoga. 

1778 June 28, Battle of Monmouth. 

1778 December 29, British captured Savannah. 

1779 September 23, American naval victory under John Paul 

Jones. 

1780 May 12, British took Charleston. 

1780 August 16, Battle of Camden. 

1780 October 7, Battle of Kings Mountain. 

1 78 1 October 19, Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. 

1783 September 3, Treaty of Peace signed at Paris. 

1783 November 25, British evacuated New York. 

313 



314 APPENDIX 

1786 Shays's unsuccessful rebellion in Massachusetts. 

1787 Northwest Ordinance. 

1788 First settlement in Northwest Territory at Marietta, Ohio. 

1788 Constitution adopted, nine states having ratified. 

1789 Washington inaugurated. 

1790 Philadelphia made the capital. 

1798 Alien and Sedition Laws passed. 

1799'. Washington died, at Mt. Vernon. 

1800 Washington became the capital. 

1801-1805. .War with the Barbary States. 

1803 Louisiana Territory purchased. 

1 804-1805. .Lewis and Clark expedition. 

1807 Fulton's Clermont made its first trip. 

1807 English Leopard fired on American Chesapeake. 

1808 Importation of slaves stopped. ^ 

1809 Abraham Lincoln born. \ 

181 1 General Harrison defeated the Indians at Tippecanoe, Ind. 

1812-1815. .Second War with England. 

1812 June 18, war declared. 

1812 August 16, Hull surrendered Detroit to the English. 

1812 August 19, Constitution defeated the Guerriere. 

1 812 October 13, Americans defeated at Queenstown, Canada. 

1 81 3 September 10, Americans under Perry defeated British 

fleet on Lake Erie. 

1813 October 5, British defeated at Battle of the Thames. 

1814 July 25, British repulsed at Lundy's Lane. 

1814 August 24, British captured Washington. 

1814 September 11, Americans under McDonough defeated 

British fleet on Lake Champlain. 

1814 December 24, Treaty of Peape signed at Ghent. 

1815 January 8, British defeated at Battle of New Orleans. 

1 818 Seminoles defeated. 

1 819 Florida purchased. 

1820 Missouri Compromise. 

1823 Monroe Doctrine declared. 

1825 Erie Canal opened. 

1828 First railroad begun. 

1832 South Carolina declared nullification. 

1837 Morse patented telegraph. 

1846 Howe patented sewing machine. 



REFERENCE LIST OF IMPORTANT EVENTS 315 

1 846- 1 848 . . Mexican War. 

1847 February 23, Mexicans defeated at Buena Vista. 

1847 March 29, Americans captured Vera Cruz. 

1847 September 14, Americans capCured Mexico city. 

1848 Gold discovered in California. 

1854 Kansas-Nebraska law. 

1854 Japan made her first foreign treaty with the United States. 

1857 Dred Scott decision. 

1858 First Atlantic cable laid. 

1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates. . 

1859 John Brown raided Harpers Ferry. 

i860 December 20, South Carolina seceded. 

1861 February 4, Confederate Government organized. 

1861 March 4, Lincoln inaugurated. 

1 861-1865. -Civil War. 

1861 April 14, Fort Sumter taken by Confederates. 

1861 July 21, Battle of Bull Run. 

1861 November 8, Mason and Slidell captured. 

1862 February 16, Fort Donelson surrendered to Federals. 

1862 March 9, Monitor-Merrimac engagement". 

1862 April 6-7, Battle of Shiloh. 

1862 April 16, Slavery abolished in District of Columbia. 

1862 April 25, New Orleans captured by Farragut. 

1862 June 25-Juiy I, Seven Days' Battles. 

1862 August 29-30, Second Battle of Bull Run. 

1862 September 17, Battle of Antietam. 

1862 December 13, Battle of Fredericksburg. 

1863 January i, Emancipation Proclamation. 

1863 May 2, Battle of Chancellorsville. 

1863 July 1-3, Battle of Gettysburg. 

1863 July 4, Vicksburg surrendered. 

1863 September 19-20, Battle of Chickamauga. 

1863 November 19, Gettysburg battlefield dedicated. 

1863 November 24-25, Battle of Chattanooga. 

1864 May 5, 6, Battle of the Wilderness. 

1864 June 19, Alabama sunk by Kearsarge. 

1864 August 5, Battle of Mobile Bay. 

1864 September 2, Atlanta captured. 

1864 October 19, Battle of Cedar Creek. 

1864 November 15, Sherman began his march to the sea. 



3i6 APPENDIX 

1864 December 15, 16, Battle of Nashville. 

1865 April I, Battle of Five Forks. 

1865 April 3, Richmond evacuated. 

1865 April 9, Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House. 

1865 April 14, Lincoln assassinated. 

865 Thirteenth Amendment ratified. 

868. President Johnson impeached by the House; but was not 

convicted. 

868 Fourteenth Amendment ratified. 

869 First transcontinental railroad. 

870 Fifteenth Amendment ratified. 

871 Chicago fire. 

876 Centennial Exhibition, at Philadelphia. 

876 Telephone invented. 

876 Custer's army destroyed by Indians. 

878 Electric light perfected. 

881 Garfield assa.ssinated. 

883 Letter postage reduced from 3 cents to 2 cents. 

886 Statue of Liberty unveiled, New York. 

898 Febfuary 15, Maine destroyed in Havana Harbor. 

898 War with Spain. 

898 April 25, Congress declared war. 

898 May I, Battle of Manila. 

898 July 1-3, Battle of San Juan. 

898 July 3, Battle of Santiago. 

898 December 10, Treaty with Spain signed at Paris. 

1898 Hawaii anne.xed. 

1899 First Peace Conference met at Hague. 

1900 Galveston disaster. 

1901 President McKinley assassinated. 

1902 Anthracite strike in Pennsylvania. 

1903 Pacific cable completed. 

1903 Alaska boundary settled. 

1903 Republic of Panama recognized by the United States. 

1904 Baltimore fire. 

1906 San Francisco earthquake. 

1908 Aeroplane flight at Fort Myer. 

1914 Panama Canal completed. 



APPENDIX E 

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 

In Congress, July 4, 1776. 
the unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states 
of america 

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one 
people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with 
another, and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate 
and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle 
them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they 
should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. 

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created 
equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable 
rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 
That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, 
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that, 
whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, 
it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new 
government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing 
its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their 
safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments 
long established, should not be changed for light and transient causes; 
and, accordingly, all experience hath shown, tliat mankind are more 
disposed to suffer, while evils are suff'crablc, than to right themselves by 
abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But, when a long 
train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, 
evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their 
right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new 
guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance 
317 



3i8 APPENDIX 

of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them 
to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present 
king of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, 
all having in direct object the estabhshment of an absolute tyranny 
over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid 
world. 

He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary 
for the public good. 

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and press- 
ing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should 
be obtained; and, when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend 
to them. 

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large 
districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of 
representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formid- 
able to tyrants only. 

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncom- 
fortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the 
sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. 

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing, with 
manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people. 

He has refused, for a long time after such dissolutions, to cause others 
to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, 
have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remain- 
ing, in the meantime, exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, 
and convulsions within. 

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that 
purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to 
pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the condi- 
tion of new appropriations of lands. 

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent 
to laws for establishing judiciary powers. 

He has made judges dependent on his will alone for the tenure of 
their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. 

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of 
officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance. 

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, without the 
consent of our legislature. 



DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 319 

He has aflFected to render the military independent of, and superior 
to, the civil power. 

He has combined, with others, to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign 
to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent 
to their acts .of pretended legislation: 

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: 

For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment for any mur- 
ders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states: 

For cutting of? our trade with all parts of the world: 

For imposing taxes on us without our consent: 

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury: 

For transporting us beyond the seas to be tried for pretended offenses: 

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring 
province, establishing therein an arbitrary government and enlarging 
its boundaries, so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument 
for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies: 

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and 
altering, fundamentally, the forms of our governments: 

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested 
with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. 

He has abdicated government here by declaring us out of his protec- 
tion, and waging v/ar against us. 

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and 
destroyed the lives of our people. 

He is, at this time, transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to 
complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun, 
with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most 
barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation. 

He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the high seas, 
to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their 
friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands. 

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeav- 
ored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian 
savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction 
of all ages, sexes, and conditions. 

In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress in 
the most humble terms; our repeated petitions have been answered 
only by repeated injur)'. A prince, whose character is thus marked by 



320 APPENDIX 

every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free 
people. 

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We 
have warned them, from time to time, of attempts by their legislature to 
extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them 
of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have 
appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured 
them, by the ties of our Common kindred, to disavow these usurpations, 
which would inevitably interrupt our connections, and correspondence. 
They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity. We 
must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our sep- 
aration, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, 
in peace, friends. 

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in 
general congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the 
world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by author- 
ity of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, 
That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
pendent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British 
crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of 
Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as free 
and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude 
peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts 
and things which independent states may of right do. And for the sup- 
port of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine 
Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, 
and our sacred honor. 



APPENDIX F 

CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 

We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more per- 
fect union, establish justice, insure dornestic tranquillity, provide for the 
common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the bless- 
ings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish 
this constitution for the United States of America. 

ARTICLE I 

SECTION I 

All legislative povi'ers herein granted shall be vested in a congress of 
the United States, which shall consist of a senate and house of rep- 
resentatives. 

SECTION II 

1. The house of representatives shall be composed of members 
chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the 
electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors 
of the most numerous branch of the state legislature. 

2. No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained 
the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United 
States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state 
in which he shall be chosen. 

3. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the 
several states which may be included within this Union, according to 
their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the 
whole number of free persons, including those bound to serv'icc for a 
term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other 
persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years 
after the first meeting of the congress of the United States, and within 
every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law 
direct. The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every 

321 



322 APPENDIX 

thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one representative ; 
and until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New Hampshire 
shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island 
and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five. New York six. New 
Jersey four, Pennsylv.!nia eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia 
ten. North Carolina five. South Carolina five, and Georgia three. 

4. When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, 
the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such 
vacancies. 

5. The house of representatives shall choose their speaker and other 
officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment. 

SECTION ni 

1. The senate of the United States shall be composed of two sena- 
tors from each state, [chosen by the legislature thereof,] 1 for six years ; 
and each senator shall have one vote. 

2. Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the 
first election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three 
classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated 
at the expiration of the second year ; of the second class, at the ex- 
piration of the fourth year, and of the third class, at the expiration 
of the sixth year, so that one third may be chosen every second year ; 
[and if vacancies happen by resignation or otherwise during the recess 
of the legislature of any state, the executive thereof may make tem- 
porary appointments until the next meeting of the legislature, which 
shall then fill such vacancies.] ^ 

3. No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the 
age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, 
and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for 
which he shall be chosen. 

4. The vice president of the United States shall be president of the 
senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. 

5. The senate shall choose their other officers, and also a president 
pro tempore in the absence of the vice president, or when he shall exer- 
cise .the office of president of the United States. 

6. The senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. 

1 Superseded by seventeenth amendment. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 323 

When sitting for that purpose they shall be on oath or affirmation. 
When the president of the United States is tried, the chief justice shall 
preside; and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of 
two thirds of the members present. 

7. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall^not extend further than 
to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office 
of honor, trust, or profit under the United States; but the party con- 
victed shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment, trial, 
judgment, and punishment, according to law. 



1. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators 
and representatives shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature 
thereof; but the congress may at any time by law make or alter such 
regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators. 

2. The congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such 
meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by 
law appoint a different day. 

SECTION V 

1. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and 
qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall consti- 
tute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from 
day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent 
members, in such manner and under such penalties, as each house 
may provide. 

2. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish 
its members for disorderly behavior, and with the concurrence of two 
thirds, expel a member. 

3. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from 
time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in their 
judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of 
either house on any question shall, at the desire of one fifth of those 
present, be entered on the journal. 

4. Neither house, during the session of congress, shall, without the 
consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other 
place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. 



324 APPENDIX 



1. The senators and representatives shall receive a compensation 
for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury 
of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason, felony, 
and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attend- 
ance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and return- 
ing from the same; and for any speech or debate in either house, they 
shall not be questioned in any other place. 

2. No senator or representative shall, during the time for which he 
was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the 
United States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof 
shall have been increased during such time; and no person holding any 
office under the United States, shall be a member of either house during 
his continuance in office. 

SECTION VII 

1. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the house of rep- 
resentatives; but the senate may propose or concur with amendments 
as on other bills. 

2. Every bill which shall have passed the house of representatives 
and the senate, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the presi- 
dent of the United States; if he approve, he shall sign it, but if not he 
shall return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have 
originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and 
proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration two thirds of that 
house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objec- 
tions, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and 
if approved by two thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But in 
all such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas and 
nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall 
be entered on the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall 
not be returned by the president within ten days (Sundays excepted) 
after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like 
manner as if he had signed it, unless the congress by their adjournment 
prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law. 

3. Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the 
senate and house of representatives may be necessar}- (except on a ques- 
tion of adjournment) shall be presented to the president of the United 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 325 

States; and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, 
or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the sen- 
ate and house of representatives, according to the rules and limitations 
prescribed in the case of a bill. 

SECTION \1ll 

The congress shall have power 

1. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the 
debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the 
United States; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform 
throughout the United States; 

2. To borrow money on the credit of the United States; 

3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several 
states, and with the Indian tribes; 

4. To establish an uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws 
on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States; 

5. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, 
and fix the standard of weights and measures; 

6. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities 
and current coin of the United States; 

7. To establish post offices and post roads; 

8. To promote the progress 01 science and useful arts, by securing 
for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their 
respective writings and discoveries; 

9. To constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court; 

ID. To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the 
high seas, and offenses against the law of nations; 

11. To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make 
rules concerning captures on land and water; 

12. To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to 
that use shall be for a longer term than two years; 

13. To provide and maintain a navy; 

14. To make rules for the government and regulation of the land 
and naval forces; 

15. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the 
Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions; 

16. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, 
and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service 



326 APPENDIX 

of the United States, reserving to the states respectively the c.ppointment 
of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the 
discipline prescribed by congress; 

17. To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such 
district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular 
states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of the government 
of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all places pur- 
chased by the consent of the legislature of the state in which the same 
shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards, and 
other needful buildings; and 

18. To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carry- 
ing into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by 
this constitution in the government of the United States, or in any 
department or oflBicer thereof. 

SECTION IX 

1. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the 
states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited 
by the congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, 
but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding 
ten dollars for each person. 

2. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, 
unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may re- 
quire it. 

3. No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. 

4. No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in propor- 
tion to the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed to be taken. 

5. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state. 

6. No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or 
revenue to the ports of one state over those of another; nor shall vessels 
bound to or from one state, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in 
another. 

7. No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in consequence of 
appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the 
receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from 
time to time. 

8. No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States; and 
no person holding any office of profit or trust under them shall, without 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 327 

the consent of the congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or 
title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state. 



1. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation; 
grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; 
make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts; 
pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obliga- 
tion of contracts, or grant any title of nobility. 

2. No state shall, without the consent of congress, lay any imposts 
or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary 
for executing its inspection laws; and the net produce of all duties and 
imposts, laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the use of 
the treasury of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to 
the revision and control of the congress. 

3. No state shall, without the consent of congress, lay any duty of 
tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any 
agreement or compact with another state, or with a foreign power, or 
engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as 
will not admit of delay. 

ARTICLE II 



1. The executive power shall be vested in a president of the United 
States of .America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, 
and, together with the vice president, chosen for the same term, be elected 
as follows: 

2. Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature 
thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of 
senators and representatives to which the state may be entitled in the 
congress; but no senator or representative, or person holding an office of 
trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector. 

[3. The electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot 
for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the 
same state with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the persons 
voted for, and of the number of votes for each; which list they shall sign 



328 APPENDIX 

and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of government of the United 
States, directed to the president of the senate. The president of the 
senate shall, in the presence of the senate and house of representatives, 
open all the certificates; and the votes shall then be counted. The 
person having the greatest number of votes shall be the president, if 
such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; 
and if there be more than one who have such majority, and have an 
equal number of votes, then the house of representatives shall immedi- 
ately choose by ballot one of them for president; and if no person have 
a majority, then from the five highest on the list the said house shall in 
like manner choose the president. But in choosing the president the 
votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having 
one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or mem- 
bers from two thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall 
be necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of the president, 
the person having the greatest number of votes of the electors shall be 
the vice president. But if there should remain two or more who have 
equal votes, the senate shall choose from them by ballot the vice 
president.] ^ 

4. The congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, 
and the day on which they shall give their votes, which day shall be the 
same throughout the United States. 

5. No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United 
States at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall be eligible to 
the office of president; neither shall any person be eligible to that office 
who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been 
fourteen years a resident within the United States. 

6. In case of the removal of the president from office, or of his 
death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the 
said office, the same shall devolve on the vice president, and the congress 
may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inabil- 
ity, both of the president and vice president, declaring what officer shall 
then act as president, and such officer shall act accordingly until the 
disability be removed or the president shall be elected. 

7. The president shall, at stated times, receive for his services a 
compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during 

1 Superseded by Twelfth Amendment. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 329 

the period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive 
within that period any other emolument from the United States, or any 
of them. 

8. Before he enter on the execution of his oflQce, he shall take the 
following oath or affirmation: — 

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the 
office of president of the United States, and will to the best of my ability 
preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United States." 



1. The president shall be commander in chief of the army and 
navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when 
called into the actual service of the United States; he may require the 
opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive depart- 
ments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, 
and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses 
against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. 

2. He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the 
senate, to make treaties, provided two thirds of the senators present 
concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and con- 
sent of the senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers 
and consuls, judges of the supreme court, and all other officers of the 
United States, whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, 
and which shall be established by law; but the congress may by law 
vest the appointment of such inferior officers as they think proper, in 
the president alone, in the courts of law or in the heads of departments. 

3. The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may 
happen during the recess of the senate, by granting commissions which 
shall expire at the end of their next session. 

SECTION III 

He shall from time to time give to the congress information of 
the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such 
measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraor- 
dinar>' occasions, convene both houses, or either of them, and in case 
of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, 
he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; he shall 



33° APPENDIX 

receive ambassadors and other public ministers; he shall take care that 
the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of 
the United States. 

SECTION IV 

The president, vice president, and all civil officers of the United 
States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction 
of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. 

ARTICLE III 

SECTION I 

The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one 
supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the congress may from 
time to time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and 
inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, 
at stated times, receive for their services a compensation, which shall 
not be diminished during their continuance in office. 



1. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, 
arising under this constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties 
made, or which shall be made, under their authority; to all cases affect- 
ing ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls; to all cases of 
admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to which the 
United States shall be a party; to controversies between two or more 
states; between a state and citizens of another state; between citizens 
of different states; between citizens of the same state claiming lands 
under grants of different states, and between a state, or the citizens 
thereof, and foreign states, citizens or subjects. 

2. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and 
consuls, and those in which a state shall be a party, the supreme court 
shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, 
the supreme court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and 
fact, with such exceptions and under such regulations as the congress 
shall make. 

3. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 



33^ 



by jury; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes 
shall have been committed; but when not committed within any state, 
the trial shall be at such place or places as the congress may by law 
have directed. 

SECTION III 

1. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying 
war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and 
comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testi- 
mony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open 
court. 

2. The congress shall have power to declare the punishment of 
treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood or 
forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted. 

ARTICLE IV 

SECTION I 

Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public 
acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the 
congress may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, 
records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. 

SECTION II 

1. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and 
immunities of citizens in the several states. 

2. A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other 
crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another state, shall, 
on demand of the executive authority of the state from which he fled, 
be delivered up, to be removed to the state having jurisdiction of the 
crime. 

3. No person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws 
thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regu- 
lation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be 
delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may 
be due. 

SECTION III 

I. New states may be admitted by the congress into this Union; 



332 APPENDIX 

but no new state shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of 
any other state; nor any state be formed by the junction of two or more 
states or parts of states, without the consent of the legislatures of the 
states concerned as well as of the congress. 

2. The congress shall have power to dispose of and make all need- 
ful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property 
belonging to the United States; and nothing in this constitution shall 
be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States or of 
any particular state. 



The United States shall guarantee to every state in this Union a 
republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against 
invasion, and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when 
the legislature cannot be convened), against domestic violence. 

ARTICLE V 

The congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it 
necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or, on the 
application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several state.s, shall 
call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall 
be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this constitution, when 
ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by 
conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of 
ratification may be proposed by the congress; provided that no amend- 
ment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred 
and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the 
ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, 
shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the senate. 

ARTICLE VI 

1. All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the 
adoption of this constitution, shall be as valid against the United States 
under this constitution as under the confederation. 

2. This constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall 
be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 333 

made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme 
law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, 
anything in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwith- 
standing. 

3. The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the mem- 
bers of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial 
officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be 
bound by oath or affirmation to support this constitution ; but no reli- 
gious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public 
trust under the United States. 



ARTICLE VII 

The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be suf- 
ficient for the establishment of this constitution between the states so 
ratifying the same. 

Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the states present, 
the seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one 
thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the independ- 
ence of the United States of America the twelfth. In witness 
whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names. 



334 APPENDIX 



AMENDMENTS 



ARTICLE I 



Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of re- 
ligion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom 
of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to as- 
semble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. 

ARTICLE II 

A well-regulated militia being necessarj' to the security of a free 
state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. 

ARTICLE III 

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house with- 
out the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to 
be prescribed by law. 

ARTICLE IV 

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, 
and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be 
violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, sup- 
ported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to 
be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. 

ARTICLE V 

No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise in- 
famous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, 
except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, 
when in actual ser\'ice in time of war or public danger; nor shall any 
person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNTTED STATES 335 

life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness 
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due 
process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use with- 
out just compensation. 

ARTICLE VI 

In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right to 
a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district 
wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have 
been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and 
cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against 
him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and 
to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. 

ARTICLE VII 

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall ex- 
ceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jur}- shall be prescr\'ed, and no 
fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the 
United States, than according to the rules of the common law. 

ARTICLE VIII 

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor 
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

ARTICLE IX 

The enumeration in the constitution of certain rights shall not be 
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. 

ARTICLE X 

The powers not delegated to the United States by the constitution, 
nor prohibited by it to the states, are reser\'ed to the states respec- 
tively or to the people. 

ARTICLE XI 

The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to 
extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against 



336 APPENDIX 

one of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or sub- 
jects of any foreign state. 

ARTICLE XII 

The electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by bal- 
lot for president and vice president, one of whom, at least, shall not be 
an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their 
ballots the person voted for as president, and in distinct ballots the per- 
son voted for as vice president and they shall make distinct lists of all 
persons voted for as president, and of all persons voted for as vice 
president, and of the number of votes for each; which lists they shall 
sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of 
the United States, directed to the president of the senate. The presi- 
dent of the senate shall, in the presence of the senate and house of 
representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be 
counted. The person having the greatest number of votes for presi- 
dent, shall be the president, if such number be a majority of the 
whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have such ma- 
jority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceed- 
ing three on the list of those voted for as president, the house of rep- 
resentatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the president. But in 
choosing the president, the votes shall be taken by states, the represen- 
tation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall 
consist of a member or members from two thirds of the states, and a 
majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the 
house of representatives shall not choose a president whenever the right 
of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next 
following, then the vice president shall act as president, as in the case 
of the death or other constitutional disability of the president. 

The person having the greatest number of votes as vice president, 
shall be the vice president, if such number be a majority of the whole 
number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then 
from the two highest numbers on the list the senate shall choose the 
vice president; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two thirds of 
the whole number of senators, and a majority of the whole number shall 
be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to 
the ofl&ce of president shall be eligible to that of vice president of the 
United States. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 337 

ARTICLE XIII 

Section i. Neitherslaverynor involuntary servitude, except as a pun- 
ishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall 
exist withm the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. 

Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appro- 
priate legislation. 

ARTICLE XIV 

Section i. All persons born or naturalized in the United States and 
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and 
of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any 
law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the 
United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or 
property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its 
jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. 

Sec. 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several 
states according to their respective numbers, counting the whole nufn- 
ber of persons in each state, excluding Indians not taxed. But when 
the right to vote at any election for the dioice of electors for president 
and vice president of the United States, representatives in congress, the 
executive and judicial officers of a state, or the members of the legisla- 
ture thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such state, being 
twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way 
abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis 
of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the 
number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male 
citizens twenty -one years of age in such state. 

Sec. 3. No person shall be a senator or representative in congress, 
or elector of president and vice president, or hold any office, civil 
or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having 
previously taken an oath, as a member of congress, or as an officer of 
the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an exec- 
utive or judicial ol^icer of any state, to support the constitution of the 
United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against 
the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But congress 
may, by a vote of two thirds of each house, remove such disability. 

Sec. 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, 



338 APPENDIX 

authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions 
and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall 
not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any state shall 
assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or 
rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emanci- 
pation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations, and claims shall be 
held illegal and void. 

Sec. 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate 
legislation, the provisions of this article. 

ARTICLE XV 

Section i. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall 
not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on 
account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. 

Sec. 2. The congress shall have power to enforce this article by 
appropriate legislation. 

ARTICLE X\T 

The congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, 
from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the 
several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration. 

ARTICLE X\ II 

The senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators 
from each state, elected by the people thereof, for six years ; and 
each senator shall have one vote. The electors in each state shall 
have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous 
branch of the state legislatures. 

When vacancies happen in the representation of any state in the 
senate, the executive authority of such state shall issue writs of elec- 
tion to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any 
state may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appoint- 
ments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature 
may direct. 

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election 
or term of any senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the 
constitution. 



INDEX 



Abolitionists, i6o. 

in the North, 151. 

in the South, 154. 
Adams, John (1735-1826), 58. 

elected President, 78. 
Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848), 125. 
Adams, Samuel (1722-1803), 12, 13. 
A'er-o-plane, picture, 281. 
Agriculture, Department of, 248. 
'Aguinaldo (ah-gee-nahl'do), 274. 
Alabama, admitted, 149. 
Alabama claims, 232. 
Alaska, 251. 

Allegheny Mountains, crossing the, 236. 
Allen, Ethan (1737-1789), 21. 
Amendments, 13th, 14th, 15th, 227. 
American Federation of Labor, 280. 
Anderson, Robert (1805-1871), 175, 214. 
An-tie'tam (tee'), battle of, 189. 
Ap-po-mat'tox Court House, 213. 
Arbitration, with England, 232. 

between England and V'enezuela, 258. 
Arizona, admitted, 282. 
Ar'kan-sas (-saw), admitted, 150. 
Army, disbanding northern, 229. 

feeding an, 208. 
Arnold, Benedict (1741-1801), 22, 38, 

53- 
Arthur, Chester A. (1830-1886), 257. 
Articles of Confederation, 63. 
Atlantic Cable, 252. 
Aviation, 281. 

Bacon's Rebellion, 2. 

Balance of States, 147, 149, 151. 

Baltimore, and first railroad, 115. 

attacked, 104. 

fire, 282. 

newspaper in, 117. 
Bar'ba-ry States, 89. 



Beau're-gard (bo'). General (1818- 

1893), 185. 
Bell, Alexander d. (1847- ), 290. 
Bennington, battle of, 36. 
Berkeley (burk'ly). Governor, 2. 
Blockade of southern ports, 181. 
Blockade runner, picture, 182. 
Blockhouse, Spanish, picture, 269. 
Bonhommc Richard (bo-nom-re-shahr'), 

SI- 
Boone, Daniel (1735-1820), 237. 
Border States, 180. 
Boston, evacuated, 22. 

fire in, 254. 

newspaper in, 117. 

siege of, 14. 

skirmish, 8. 

Tea Party, 10. 
Boul'der (bol'), founded, 249. 
Boxers' uprising, 276. 
Branding iron, picture, 87. 
Brandywine, battle of, 39. 
Brooklyn Heights, fortified, 27. 
Brooms, introduced, 119. 
Brown, John (1800-1859), 161. 
Bu-chan'an (-kan'), James (i 791-1868), 

163, 167. 
Bue'na Vis'ta (bu'), battle of, 129. 
Buffalo, and Erie Canal, 112. 

exposition, 298. 
Buffalo, herd of, picture, 246. 
Bull Run, first battle, 185. 

second battle, 189. 
Bunker Hill, battle of, 15. 

monument, picture of, 16. 
Bur'gess-es (-jfis-). House of, 3. 
Bur-goyne' (-goin'). General, 35, 36, 40. 
Burns, Anthony, 158. 
Butler, General (1818-1893), 192. 
Buttcrworth, H., quoted, 273. 



339 



340 



INDEX 



Cal-houn' (-hoon'), John C. (17S2- 

1850), 95, 156. 
California, admitted, 150, 245. 

gold in, 244. 
Camden, battle of, 53. 
Canada, in Civil War, igg. 

in Revolution, 21, 27. 

in War of 1812, 95. 
Canal, Erie, iii. 

Panama, 277. 
Capital, national, 74. 
Carpetbaggers, 228. 
Carpets, in America, 119. 
Carroll, Charles (1737-1832), 115. 
Carson, Christopher (1809-1868), 240. 
Cemetery Ridge, battle of, 205. 
Census, first, 74. 

Cervera (ther-va'rah), Admiral, 267. 
Chan'cel-lors-ville, battle of, 193. 
Charleston, earthquake, 255. 

in the Revolution, 53, 55. 
Chat-ta-noo'ga, battle of, 207. 
Chesapeake, gi, loi. 
Chicago, exposition, 293. 

fire, 254. 

founded, 122. 
Chick-a-mau'ga, battle of, 207. 
China, open door in, 275. 
Civil Service reform, 257. 
Civil War, 173-216. 
Clark, George Rogers (1752-1818), 51. 
Clark, William (1770-1838), 87. 
Clay, Henry (1777-1852), 95, 150, 155. 
Cler'mont, no. 
Cleveland, Grover (183 7- 1908), 258, 

294. 
Clinton, De Witt (1769-1828), in. 
Clinton, Sir Henry, 23, 49, 50, 52, 56. 
Coal, found in Pennsylvania, 116. 
Coal strike, 280. 
Colonies, in 1763, i. 
Colorado, admitted, 249. 
Columbia River, discovered, 88. 
Commerce, Department of, 280. 
Compromise, of 1S50, 150. 

Missouri, 150. 
Concord, battle at, 13, 14. 
Confederate money, 202. 
Confederate soldier, picture, 200. 
Confederate States, and England, iSo. 



Confederate States, enumerated, 178. 

formed, 167. 

"white house," picture, 179. 
Confederation, Articles of, O3. 
Congress, colonial, 7. 

First Continental, 1 1 . 

Second Continental, 16, 17, 24, 47. 
Connecticut, raids in, 50. 
Constitution, framed, 69, 70. 

ratified, 71. 

slavery in, J43, 147. 
Constitulion, 96, 97. 
Convention, Federal, 1787, 66. 
Cooper, Peter (1791-1883), 115. 
Copperheads, 198. 
Corn-wal'lis, General, at Camden, 53. 

Fort Moultrie, 23. 

Princeton, 32. 

Yorktown, 56. 
Cotton, gin, 143. 

in Civil War, 174, 201. 

mill, picture, 120. 

slaves picking, picture, 139. 
Cowpens, battle of, 55. 
Cris'pin, 120. 
Critical period, 63. 
Crown Point, capture of, 21. 
Cuba, and Spain, 263. 
Cumberland, destroyed,' 183. 
Cumberland Road, 114. 
Custer, George A. (1839-1876), 250. 

Daughters of Liberty, 75. 
Debt, national, 75, 231. 
Decatur, Stephen (1779-1820), 90, 99. 
Declaration of Independence, adopted, 
24. 

read, 288. 
Democratic party, 126. 
Democratic-Repubhcan party, 83. 
Department of Agriculture, 250. 

Commerce, 280. 

Labor, 280. 
Desert, Great American, 240. 
Detroit, in War of 1812, 95, 103. 
Dew'ey, George (1837- ), 265. 
District of Columbia, founded, 74. 
Dor'ches-ter Heights, seized, 22. 
Doug'las (dug'), Stephen A. (1813- 
1861), 163. 



INDEX 



34^ 



Draft riots, iqx). 
Drake, quoted, iiS.j. 
Dred Scott decision, i6i. 

Eads (eedz), James B. (1820-1887), 247. 
Early, Jubal A. (1816-1894), 212. 
Earthquake, Charleston, 255. 

San Francisco, 282. 
Ed'ison, Thomas A. (1847- ), 281. 
El Ca'ney (kah'na), taken, 268. 
El'li-cott ]Mills, railroad, 105. 
Emancipation, 153. 

Proclamation, 193. 
Em-bar'go Act, 94. 
Emerson, quoted, 13. 
England, and Confederacy, 180. 

and slavery, 136. 

and Spanish- American War, 2O7. 

and trade laws, 4. 

seizes American ships, 92. 
Era of (lood P'eeling, 109. 
Ericsson (er'ik-son), John (1803-1889), 

184. 
Erie Canal, iii. 
Exposition, Centennial, 287. 

Columbian, 293. 

Louisiana Purchase, 301. 

Pan-American, 298. 

San Francisco, and others, 305. 

Fair Oaks, battle of, 186. 

Far'ra-gut (far'), David G. (1S01-1870), 

191, 210. 
Federal conventions, 1787, 66. 
Federal Hall, N. Y., 73. 
Federalists, 77, 83. 
Field, Cyrus W. (1819-1892), 252. 
Fire, Baltimore, 282. 

Boston, 254. 

Chicago, 254. 
Flag, first American, 37. 

Perry's, 102. 

salute to, 272. 
Flatboat, picture, 237. 
Flood, Johnstown, 256. 
Florida, admitted, 150. 

purchased, 122. 
Foote, Andrew H. (1806-1863), 192. 
Ford's Theater, picture, 218. 
Fort Dearborn, 122. 



I'ort Doiielson, 192. 
l'"ort Henry, 192. 
Fort McHenry, 104. 
I'"ort Moultrie, 2s. 
Fort Myer, 281. 
Fort Stanwix, 36, 38. 
Fort Sumter, 175. 

France, acquires Louisiana Territory, 
85. 

and Mexico, 231. 

and Statue of Liberty, 294. 

in Revolution, 23, 40, 45, 49, 52. 

seizes American ships, 92. 

trouble with, 78. 
Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790), 58. 

and Declaration, 24. 

at French court, 45. 

in Federal convention, 67. 

printing press, picture, 292. 
Fred'ericksburg, battle of, 189. 
Freedmen's Bureau, 226. 
I;re-mont', John C. (1813-1890), 163, 

241. 
French and Indian War,' 1,5. 
Fugitive slave law, 148, 156. 
Fulton, Robert (1765-1815), 109. 

Gads'den Purchase, 130. 

Gage, Governor, 12. 

Galveston hurricane, 282. 

Garfield, James A. (1831-1881), 257. 

Gar'ri-son (gar'), William L. (1804- 

1879), 151. 
Gates, Horatio (1778-1806), 40, 53. 
Geneva Court (je-nee'va), 233. 
George IH, 7. 
Georgia, and Indians, 123. 

in Revolution, 53. 

slavery in, 141, 143. 
Germantown, battle of, 39. 
Gettysburg, battle of, 205. 
Gibbons, Cardinal, quoted, 302. 
Gilder, Richard W., quoted, 299. 
Gin (jin), cotton, 143. 
Gold, in Alaska, 251. 

CaUfornia, 244. 

Pikes Peak, 250. 
Golden Hill skirmish, 8. 
Grant, Ulysses S. (1822-1885), at Fort 
Donelson, 192. 



342 



INDEX 



Grant, Ulysses S., at Vicksburg, 206. 

lieutenant general, 208. 

on Lee's surrender, 214. 

President, 257. 
Gray, Robert (1755-1806), 88. 
Great American Desert, 240. 
Greeley, Horace (1811-1872), 167. 
Green Mountain Boys, 21. 
Greene, Nathanael (1742-1786), 56. 
Guam (gwahm), acquired, 272. 
Guerriire (gar-ryar'), 97. 
Guil'ford Court House (gil'), battle of, 
55- 

Hague Court (hag), 276. 
"Hail Columbia," written, 79. 
Hale, Nathan (1755-1776), 46. 
Halleck, Henry W. (1815-1872), 192, 

224. 
Hamilton, Alexander (1757-1804), 67, 75. 
Hancock, John (1737-1793), 12, i3- 
Harlem Heights, battle of, 29. 
Harpers Ferry, 161. 
Harris, J. C, quoted, 140. 
Harrison, Benjamin (183.5-1901), 258. 
Harrison, William H. (1773-1841), 10;, 

126. 
Hartford, at Mobile Bay, 210. 
Hawaii (hah-wl'ee), annexed, 275. 
Hayes, Rutherford B. (1822-1893), iSS- 
Hayne, Robert T. (1791-1839), 155. 
Helmer, Charles D., quoted, 37. 
Henry, Patrick (1736-1799), 9, 16, 151. 
Herkimer, Nicholas (1715-1777), 36. 
Hessians, 24, 30. 

Hobson, Richard P. (1870- ), 268. 
Homestead act, 248. 
Hooker, Joseph (1814-1879), 193, 207. 
Hospitals, in Civil War, ig8. 
House of Representatives, 70. 
Howe, General, 27, 35, 39, 47. 
Hull, Isaac (1773-1843), 96. 
Hull, William (1753-1825), 95. 

Idaho, admitted, 249. 
Illinois, admitted, 149. 
Impressment of seamen, 92. 
Independence, Declaration of, 24. 
Independence Hall, 288. 
Indiana, admitted, 149. 



Indians, Carson and the, 242. 

in Louisiana Territory, 87. 

in Revolution, 27, 36, 50. 

in West, 249. 
In-trep'id, 90. 

Inventions of early days, 118. 
Iowa, admitted, 150. 
Ir-o-quois' (ir-o-kwoi'), punished, 50. 
Island No. 10, captured, 192. 

Jackson, Andrew (1767-1845), 105, 123, 

125, ISS- 
Jackson, Thomas J. (1824-1863), 188. 
Jamestown, and slavery, 136. 
centennial, 307. 
destroyed, 3. 
Jay, John (1745-1829), 58. 
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826), 24, 77, 

83, iSi- 
Johnson, Andrew (1808-1875), 223. 
Johnson, Sir William, 27. 
Johnston, Albert S. (1803-1862), 192. 
Johnston, Joseph E. (1807-1891), 185, 

186. 
Johnstown flood, 256. 
Jones, John Paul (1747-1792), 51. 

Kansas-Nebraska law, 160. 
Kentucky, admitted, 149. 

in Civil War, 180. 

settled, 1 13, 237. 
Kentucky Road, 238. 
Key, Francis Scott (i 780-1 843), 104. 
Kings Mountain, battle of, 55. 
Klondike gold fields, 252. 
Ku-Klux-Klan, 228. 

Labor, Department of, 280. 
■La-drone' Islands, 272. 
Lafayette, Marquis de (mahr'kwis de 
lah-fa-yet'), 48. 
sword of, picture, 49. 
Lawrence, James (1781-1813), 100. 
Lawrence, Perry's flagship, loi. 
Lee, Charles (1731-1782), 29, 39. 
Lee, Henry (1756-1818), 54. 
Lee, Richard H. (173 2-1 794), 24, 288. 
Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870), 187. 
at Gettysburg, 205. 



INDEX 



343 



Lee, Robert E., carries war into North, 
i8g, 193. 
farewell to soldiers, 214. 
Leopard, 93. 

Lev'ees, Mississippi, broken, 282. 
Lewis, Meriwether (1774-iSog), 87. 
Lewis and Clark Expedition, 87. 
Lexington, skirmish at, 13. 
Libby prison, 221. 
'•Liberator," The, 152. 
Liberty, Statue of, 292. 
Liberty Bell, 25. 

Lincoln (link'un), Abraham (1809- 
1865), 163. 
and Emancipation Proclamation, 193. 
and secession, 168. 
and Trent Affair, 181. 
assassinated, 217. 
birth of, 163. 
call for troops, 177. 
childhood of, 238. 
debate with Douglas, i()4. 
dedicates Gettysburg battlefield, 206. 
early home of, 241. 
elected President, 165, rjii. 
funeral of, 219. 
I inaugurated, 169. 

j statue of, picture, 225. 

Longfellow, quoted, 12, 306. 
' Long Island, battle of, 27-29. 

I Lookout Mountain, battle of, 207. 

I Louisiana, admitted, 149. 

i Louisiana Territory, and slavery, 150. 

I purchased, 85. 

I Louisville, 209. 

I Lowell, quoted, 18. 

McClellan, George B. (1826-1885). 186, 

211. 
Macdonough, Thomas (1783-1825), 103. 
I McDowell, Irvin (1818-1885), 185. 

1 Macedonian, 99. 

McKinley, William (1843-1901), 279, 
303. 
Machinery and manufacturing, 121. 
Madison, Dolly, 103. 
Madison, James (1751-1836), 68, 95. 
Maine, admitted, 150. 
Maine, destroyed, 263. 
Manila, schoolhouse, 273. 



Manila Bay, battle of, 266. 
Marion, Francis (1732-1795). 54- 
Maryland, Lee in, 204. 

loyal in Civil War, 180. 
Mason and Sli'dell, 181. 
Match, sulphur, invented, 119. 
Max-i-mii'i-an, in Mexico, 232. 
Meade, George G. (1815-1872), 205. 
Memorial Day, 224. 
Merrimac, Hobson and the, 26S. 
Merrimac and Monitor, 182. 
Mexico, civil war in, 231. 

war with United States, 1 29. 
Mexico, city of, taken, 130. 
Michigan, admitted, 150. 
MUes, Nelson A. (1839- ), 251. 
Mint, first, 75. 
Minute Men, 11. 
Mississippi, admitted, 149. 
Mississippi River, and steamboat, 11 1. 

bridge over, 247. 

floods on, 282. 

in Civil War, 190, 206. 

in Treaty of Paris, 59. 
Missouri, admitted, 150. 

in Civil War, 180. 
Missouri Compromise, 150, 160. 
Mo-bile' Bay (mo-beel'), battle of, 210. 
Mohawk valley, 113. 
Money, paper, in Civil War, 202, 231. 

in Revolution, ^^. 
Monitor, 182. 

Monroe, James (1758-1831), 109. 
Monroe Doctrine, 124. 

and England, 258. 

and Mexico, 231. 
Montana, admitted, 249. 
Montgomery, Confederate capital, 176. 
Montgomery, John B. (1794-1873), 22. 
Mon-ti-cel'lo, picture, 84. 
Morris, Robert (1734-1806), 34. 
Morristown, 32, 39, 50. 
Morse, Samuel F. B. (1701-1872), 118. 
Mount Vernon, 72. 

Napier, J. T., quoted, 271. 

Napoleon, and Louisiana Territory, 86. 

and steamboat, no. 
Napoleon \\\, and Mexico, 231. 
National Pike, 1 14. 



344 



INDEX 



Naval cannon, picture, 90. 
Navigation Acts, 2. 
Navy, in Civil War, 181. 

in Revolution, 26, 51. 

in Spanish War, 267. 

in War of 1812, 93. 

in War with Tripoli, 89. 
Nebraska, admitted, 247. 
New Hampsloire, ratifies Constitution, 

71- 
New Jersey, retreat across, 29. 
New Mexico, admitted, 282. 
New Orleans, battle of, 105. 

captured, 190. 

in Louisiana Territory, 85. 

opened to largest steamers, 247. 
New York city, and Erie Canal, 113. 

draft riots in, 199. 

made capital, 72. 

maneuvers about, 27, 50. 

newspaper in, 117. 

skirmish in, 8. 
Newspapers, early, 117. 
Niagara, Perry's flagship, 102. 
Non-intercourse act, 94. 
Norfolk, and blockade, 182. 
North, abolition in, 151. 

and Fugitive Slave Law, 157. 

and right of nullification, 157. 

at close of Civil War, 229. 

attitude of, towards secession, 175. 

effects of war on, 197. 

soldiers of, 222. 
North, Lord, 58. 
North Carolina, and slavery, 143. 

battles in, 54. 

migration from, 113, 237. 
North Dakota, admitted, 249. 
North Pole, discovered, 282. 
Northmen, boat of, picture, 294. 
Northwest Territory, 63, 95, loi, 148. 
Nul-li-fi-ca'tion, 154. 

Ogden, and the railroad, 246. 
Ohio, admitted, 149. 

and Erie Canal, 113. 

Clark in, 51. 
Oklahoma, admitted, 282. 
Omaha, and the railroad, 245. 
Ordinance of 1787, 63, 148. 



Oregon Country, 127. 
0-ris'ka-ny, battle of, 36. 
Os-we'go, in Revolution, 38. 
Otis, James (1725-1783), s, 7. 

Panama Canal, 277. 

Paper money. Confederate, 202. 

Continental, :^:^. 

United States, 231. 
Paris, Treaty of, 58, 63. 
Parker, Theodore (1810-1860), 152. 
Parliament, i, 6, 7, 11. 
Parties, political, begin, 77. 
Pear'y (peer'), Robert E. (1856- ), 

282. 
Pen-in'su-lar campaign, 186. 
Pennsylvania, coal found in, 116. 

migration from, 113. 

strike in, 280. 
Perry, Oliver H. (1785-1819), loi. 
Petersburg, 213. 
Philadelphia, exposition, 287. 

Federal convention, 66. 

Liberty Bell, 25. 

made national capital, 74. 

ovation to Washington, 72. 
Philadelphia, cruiser, 90. 
Philippines, acquired, 272. 

in Spanish war, 267. 

scene in, picture, 274. 
Phillips, Wendell (1811-1884), 152. 
Pierce, FrankUn (1804-1869), 163. 
Pikes Peak, gold at, 248. 
Pinckney, Charles C. (1746-1825), 78. 
Pioneers, 113, 163, 238. 
Pirate, Tripolitan, picture, 89. 
Pitt, William, 52. 
Plantation life, 138. 
Political parties begin, 77. 
Polk (pok), James K. (1795-1849), 126, 

163. 
Pope, John (1822-1892), 189. 
Porto Rico, acquired, 272. 
Prescott, William (1726-1795), 15. 
Princeton, battle of, 32. 
Prison life, 220. 
Privateers, in Revolution, 27. 
Proclamation of Emancipation, 193. 
Pueb'lo (pweb'), founded, 249. 
Putnam, Israel (1718-1790), 14, 15. 



INDEX 



345 



Quaker and Washington incident, .}S. 
■Quaker guns," i86. 
Quebec, Americans repulsed at, 22. 

Railroads, early, 114. 

first continental, 245. 
Railroad train, in 1831, picture, 116. 
Rap-i-dan' River, 211. 
Read, T. B., quoted, 212. 
Reaper, invented, 119. 
Re-con-struc'tion, 224. 
Red Cross Society, 270. 
Republican party, 235. 
Revere (re-veer'), Paul (1735-1818), 12. 
Reynolds, John F. (1820-1863), 205. 
Rhode Island, ratified Constitution, 71. 
Richmond, abandoned, 214. 

capital of Confederacy, 214. 

"on to Richmond," 185. 
Rio tirande (ree'o grahn'da), boundary, 

130. 
Riots, draft, iqq. 
Roosevelt (ro'ze-velt), Theodore (1858- 

), 27Q, 302. 
Rosecrans (ro'ze-cranz), William S. 

(1819-1898), 207. 
Ross, Mrs. Betsy, 381. 
Russia, and Alaska, 251. 

and Monroe Doctrine, 125, 
Ryan, Father, quoted, 1S8. 

Sacramen'to, and the railroad, 245. 
St. Leg'er (lej'er). General, 35, 38. 
St. Louis, bridge at, 247. 

exposition at, 301. 
Salute to flag, 272. 

Sampson, William T. (1840-1902), 267. 
San Francisco, earthquake, 282. 

exposition at, 305. 

picture, 244. 
San Juan (hwahn), taken, 268. 
Santiago (sahn-tee-ah'go), 267, 272. 
Savannah, taken by English, 53. 

taken by Federals, 210. 
Schley (shli), Winfield S. (1839-1911), 

267. 
Scott, Dred, 161. 
Scott, Winfield (1786-1866), 130. 
Seaman, American, picture, 93. 
Secession, question of, settled, 227. 



Sem'i-nole Indians; 123. 

Senate, 70, 147. 

Se-ra'pis, 51. 

Seven Days' battles, 189. 

Shannon, 100. 

Shen-an-do'ah valley, 188, 211. 

Sher'i-dan, Philip H. (1831-1888), 207, 

212, 250. 
Sherman, WiUiam T. (1820-1891), 207. 
Shi'loh, battle of, 192. 
Sitting Bull, 250. 
Six Nations, in Revolution, 27. 
Slavery, aboHshed, 225. 

and cotton, 143. 

forbidden in Northwest Territory, 63. 

importation, 148. 

in America, 136. 

in Constitution, 143, 147. 

origin of, 135. 
Slaves, gangs, 141. 

life of, 138. 

song, 140. 
Smuggling, 4. 
Soldier, American, of south, picture, 53. 

Confederate, picture, 200. 

Hessian, picture, 30. 

Union, picture, 198. 
South, after the Civil War, 229. 

and Memorial Day, 226. 

and prisoners of war, 222. 

plans of, 174. 
South Carolina, and nullification, 155. 

and slavery, 141, 143. 

gained by English, 53. 

secedes, 165. 
South Dakota, admitted, 249. 
Spain, and Cuba, 263. 

and Florida, 123. 

and Monroe Doctrine, 124. 

and slavery, 136. 

war with, 265. 
Spanish blockhouse, picture, 269. 
Spinning wheel, picture, 120. 
Spoils system, 126. 

Springfield, 111., home of Lincoln, 219. 
Stamp act, 5, 6, 7. 
Stanford, Le'land (1824-1893), 246. 
"Star Spangled Banner," 104. 
State rights, 154. 
Statue of Liberty, 292. 



346 



INDEX 



Steamboat, first, no. 

Steam engine, 109. 

Stephenson, George, 114. 

Steu'ben (stu'), Baron von, 40. 

Stony Point, capture of, 50. 

Stowe (sto), Harriet B. (181 2-1896), 

ISP- 
Strike, coal, 280. 
Supreme Court, 70. 

Taft, William H. (1857- ), 270- 

Tariff, 7S, 257- 

Tarle'ton (tarl'). General, 54. 

Taylor, Zachary (1784-1850), 129, 163 

Tea tax, 9. 

Telegraph, Morse and the, 118. 

Telephone, 290, 296. 

Tennessee, admitted, 149. 

in Civil War, 207. 

settled, 113. 
Texas, admitted, 129, 150. 

annexed, 128. 

independent, 127. 
Thames (temz), battle of the, 103. 
Thomas, George H. (1816-1870), 207. 
Thompson, W. H., quoted, 214. 
Thresliing machine, 119. 
Ti-con-der-o'ga, capture of, 21. 
"Times," London, quoted, 99. 
Tories, 27, 35, 36. 
Town'shend Acts, 7. 
Treaty, 17, 58, 63, 105, 130, 274. 

1814, 105. 

1848, 130. 

1898, 272. 
Trent affair, iSi. 
Trenton, battle at, 30. 

ovation to Washington at, 73. 
TripoU, War with, 89. 
Tyler, John (1790-1862), 126. 

"Uncle Tom's Cabin," 159. 
Underground Railway, 159. 
Union soldier, picture, 198. 
United States, 99. 
Utah, admitted, 249. 

Valley Forge, winter at, 47. 

Van Buren, Martin (1782-1862), 126. 

Ven-e-zue'la (-zwee') dispute, 258. 



Ve'ra Cruz (va'rah kroos'), taken, 130. 
Vermont, admitted, 149. 
Vicksburg, 203, 206. 

Wagner, composes march, 2 88. 
War, Civil, 173. 

of 1812, 95. 

Revolutionary, 21. 

with Mexico, 129. 

with Spain, 267. 
Washington, city, burning of, 103. 

made capital, 74. 
Washington, state, admitted, 249. 
Washington, George (i732-i799)> i7- 

and slavery, 151. 

autograph, 73. 

commander in chief, 17. 

death of, 78. 

elected President, 72. 

foreign policy, 76. 

inaugurated, 73. 

in Federal Convention, 67. 
Washington, William (1752-1810), 54. 
Watt, James, 109. 
Wayne, Anthony (1745-1796), 50. 
Webster, Daniel (1782-1852), 155. 
West Point, 50. 

Westward movement, 113, 235. 
Wey'ler (wa'ler). General, 263. 
Whig party, 126, 163. 
Whitney, Eli (1765-1825), 143. 
Whittier, quoted, 152, 288. 
Wilderness, battle in the, 211. 
Wilderness Road, 238. 
Wilkes (wilks), Charles (1798-1877), 

181. 
Williamsburg, founded, 3. 
Wilson, Woodrow (1856- ), 280. 
Woman suffrage, 279. 
Wright, Orville (1871- ), 281. 
Wright, Wilbur (1867-1912), 281. 
Writs of assistance, 4. 
Wyoming, admitted, 249. 

and woman suffrage, 279. 

X-ray photograph, picture, 303. 

Yorktown, siege of, 56. 
Yukon gold fields, 251. 



•i'Silliiiiiil 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




01 1 448 327 8 O 




